A Wild! Night in Texas -- the 2004 Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships “Not Black Tie” Charity Gala -- will be held Friday, October 29 at the Fort Worth Zoo’s Texas Wild! exhibit. Proceeds from the gala will benefit the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and the Texas Wild! Teacher Institute for the conservation and management of wildlife.

The Breeders’ Cup Charity Gala will be an exciting prelude to the 21st Breeders’ Cup, which will be held the following day (Saturday, October 30) at Lone Star Park in the Dallas suburb of Grand Prairie, Texas.

Texas Wild! is an eight-acre interactive exhibit that features six regions of Texas, their flora and fauna, and the abundance of wildlife of the state. The exhibit is home to more than 300 species native to Texas and educates visitors on the importance of wildlife conservation.

Native Texan and Academy of Country Music’s five-time vocalist of the year, George Strait is the featured performer of the evening. A long-time supporter of horses and racing, Strait was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2003, the same year he received the National Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest honor for artistic excellence, from President and Mrs. George W. Bush.

“Historically, the Breeders’ Cup Charity Gala has been black tie, but this year we will break from that tradition,” said D.G. Van Clief, Jr., President of Breeders’ Cup Limited. “The tradition that will not change, however, is our rich heritage of supporting charitable causes. The 2004 Breeders’ Cup is proud of the two worthy institutions that exemplify our mission.”

“We are very excited that the Breeders’ Cup is coming to Texas,” said Ramona Seeligson Bass, gala chairman, “and we plan to have you dancing under the stars to the music of a Lone Star legend, George Strait.”

For more information on this Texas extravaganza, contact Nancy Kelly at The Jockey Club at (212) 521-5305; nkelly@jockeyclub.com; or Denise Harmon in Ramona Bass’ office at (817) 339-7123; dharmon@barbnet.com.