A drawing will be held for one free season to Einstein at prominent Thoroughbred farm Adena Springs’ Open House Stallion Show on Jan.8, with the value of the stud fee to be donated to the Race for Education’s Starting Gate Youth Program at schools in Bourbon County, Ky. In addition, Adena Springs, located in Paris, Ky., will donate a portion of the proceeds of every Einstein breeding contract signed that day to the same program. The evening’s events will begin at 6 p.m., with food and refreshments provided.

"(Adena Springs owner Frank Stronach) has always generously supported programs within Adena Springs’ community, and the Starting Gate Youth program is a deserving beneficiary," said Adena Springs General Manager Eric Hamelback. "We felt that it was fitting that we associate his generosity with our aptly named stallion, Einstein. This spring students from Bourbon County’s schools will have an opportunity to meet Einstein and tour the farm to learn about future career opportunities."

The Starting Gate Youth program, open to all at-risk youth was established by The Race for Education in 2009 in New York and has expanded to include two Central Kentucky locations for the 2011-12 school year. The program offers many services including tutoring, computer training, public speaking, ACT/SAT/PSAT preparatory courses, cultural field trips, family engagement and career research and counseling. Over 20 students from Paris Independent Middle school have participated in the program this past semester with sessions held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. With the funding from Einstein and Adena Springs, the program will also be offered in Bourbon County Middle School for the upcoming school year.

The Race for Education’s purpose in providing the Starting Gate college readiness program is to engage families and youth of Central Kentucky to improve grades, study skills, and post-secondary preparation, while also imparting the value of continued education via college or vocational school. Immediate results include an improvement in grade point average and study habits while long-term results include preparing more students for college, helping them qualify for merit scholarships and instilling within them the importance of education and investment in their own future. While priority is given to families of farm workers, the program is open to all at-risk youth in the community as determined by the school’s guidance counselors