As if it wasn’t already easy to root for Mage in Saturday’s Haskell and throughout the remainder of his 3-year-old campaign, owner and managing partner Ramiro Restrepo, in conjunction with longtime South Florida-based owner-trainer Steve Dwoskin, has come up with another reason to cheer for this year’s Kentucky Derby winner. Restrepo is pledging a portion of his earnings from Mage’s races, beginning with the Haskell, to the Dwoskin Children’s Cancer Research Fund at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dwoskin, after a lucrative career selling auto parts, started a foundation 22 years ago at the cancer center. He pledged an additional $7.5 million to help obtain a proton therapy machine for the Sylvester Center before turning his attention to cancer research for children. “My father and brother both died of cancer, which is originally why I started the foundation,” said Dwoskin, 80, who along with running his auto parts business has trained nearly 1,000 winners, primarily on the South Florida circuit. “I told the university I’d sign on as a donor for another 10 years if they purchased a proton therapy machine like the one they had at Baptist Hospital here in Miami and we got that done. Then I learned of a friend whose son died of cancer at the age of 8, and it really moved me, so I decided I needed to help the children now rather than wait until I passed away.” Dwoskin said having Restrepo on board will only enhance the possibilities of raising money for children’s cancer research. :: Bet with the Best! Get Free DRF PPs and Cashback when you wager. Join DRF Bets. “It’s sort of like an Alex’s Lemonade Stand type of situation,” said Dwoskin, referring to the charity that was associated with 2005 Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner Afleet Alex and which has raised more than $250 million for cancer research. “Ramiro is a University of Miami alum and a big supporter, and when he first learned of this project he was quick to jump aboard.” Restrepo said he feels there is a certain synergy between himself, Dwoskin, horse racing, and the desire to help children afflicted with cancer. “I know Steve [Dwoskin] is a huge supporter of the University of Miami and its pediatric cancer research fund,” said Restrepo. “It’s such a moving subject and he is so passionate about it. I think it’s a great fit being able to support my alma mater along with the tie-in we have with the horse racing community.” :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.