As the four-year-old filly Jeanne Marie crossed the finish line at Parx Racetrack in a triumphant win on April 28th, cheers erupted in the paddock and along the rail for not only the horse, but for beloved trainer Butch Reid. This was his 1000th win, and the Winner’s Circle immediately started filling up with a large group to honor the well-respected horsemen for his milestone.
“It was very special to happen at Parx,” Butch said. “This has been our place for the last 15 years or so. My family is here. We grew up right here in the Philadelphia area, so it was really special to get it here.”
On his walk to the Winner’s Circle, Butch took a moment to reflect on his journey so far. “My brother and I talked about my winner was a horse that he had sent me up at Monmouth Park named Rock Lives. Just thinking about what my family had been through, up and down the East Coast for the past 40 years, my daughter had gone through 8 different schools by the time she was in 8th grade, so it was a long tough, tough trip with a lot of ups and downs, but mostly ups, thankfully.”
“It was special, too, to get it here for a guy like Glenn (owner Glenn Bennett), who has really been a stalwart owner for me for the last ten years or so. He happened to be at Parx that day with the whole family, so it worked out really well.”
“Jeanne Marie is a real nice horse,” said Glenn proudly. “She just came off a layoff and gained some weight, and she’s not a big horse, but she’s all heart. She’s real tough. She ran fantastic that day.”
Accompanied by his father, George, Glenn was excited to be on hand to witness the victory, and had a feeling this was her day. “Maybe it was hope rather than a gut feeling, but I knew she would run well, she always shows up. She never has a bad race, and hopefully the good luck continues. We have lots of fun with it. And working with Butch is great.” Glenn owns about 90 horses, with 50 co-owned with Chuck Zacney of Cash is King LLC.
Also in the Winner’s Circle to celebrate were representatives of the organization For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation, a non-profit to enable cancer patients and their loved ones to create lasting experiences. The filly is special to them, as well, as her history is intertwined with the organization.
“The filly Jeanne Marie is named after Jeanne Marie Dolaway,” explained Marci Schankweiler, Founder and CEO. “I started For Pete’s Sake after I lost my husband Pete to cancer at age 30. Our friends and family ed us through that journey, and that included Jeanne Dolaway, her husband Charlie, and their entire family.” Through a fundraiser organized by Jeanne and family, Marci and Pete were able to go away and spend some time together as their first respite*, with time to refresh and rejuvenate before he ed away.
“It was Pete’s idea to start this foundation to help other young families facing cancer. The average person we help is about 36, and 80% have advanced stage cancer.”
Jeanne Dolaway started a fashion show fundraiser for the foundation, and continued the event for years, volunteering her time. “Then she became sick with cancer, and we lost her,” Marci said. “It was during this time that her husband Charlie met Glenn Bennett, and in doing something in her memory, he said ‘I have a horse, we will name her Jeanne Marie, and (For Pete’s Sake) will get a percentage every time she wins!’ So when Butch won that race, Charlie Dolaway was there, and we were all there. It
just goes to show you why people invest and celebrate horse racing, but even more so, it brings people together. Jeanne brought people together, in ing our mission, and after her ing.”
The day Jeanne Marie gave Butch his 1000th win was memorable for Marci and for so many people. “We celebrated Butch and his family, Glenn and his family, Charlie Dolaway and his love for his wife, and we celebrated For Pete’s Sake,” Marci said. “It’s a beautiful tribute to the power of family within the racing community.”
As for Butch Reid? He was right back at it, tallying more wins and looking ahead to the season with an eye on his horses. “Carmelina came back and just ran a huge race, so we’re looking for a real good year for her. One of our other old favorites Smooth B, the 10-year-old, in his last year of racing, came back and just got beat. And of course, Jeanne Marie came back with a real bang-up race, and we’re thinking she’s got some turf in her future, so we’re lining her up for a turf start at Penn National on her next try.”
*Take a Break From Cancer | For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation
For Pete’s Sake Respite Cancer Center | Take A Break From Cancer
Robert E. (Butch)Reid Jr. – Parx Racing Hall of Fame 2021
Starts: 5898
Wins: 1002
Seconds: 901
Thirds: 842
Total earnings: $41,282,758
19 Graded Stakes wins
3 Grade 1 wins
Jeanne Marie (Speightster-Bouquet Of Gold-by Medaglia D’Oro)
Starts: 10
Wins: 4
Seconds: 3
Thirds: 0
Total Earnings: $171,560
