GOODIE GIRLS CUPCAKES OWNER ANNETTE STARBUCK
LAUNCHES A RELIEF EFFORT TO REPAIR DAMAGED HORSE
STEEPLES AT THE KENTUCKY DERBY’S FAMOUS CHURCHILL DOWNS
IN LOUISVILLE—WHERE SHE RECENTLY WON THE SEASON 3
PREMIERE OF THE FOOD NETWORK’S ‘CUPCAKE WARS’

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Starbuck Will Be Donating 50 Percent Of The Proceeds From Sales
Of Her Signature Blueberry Pancakes Cupcakes at the Friday
Food Fair & Artisanal Marketplace in Pasadena, Calif.

Annette Starbuck is spearheading efforts to repair the nine horse steeples damaged by a tornado that struck Louisville’s historic Churchill Downs – where the Los Angeles based Goodie Girls cupcake company owner recently won the Season 3 premiere episode of The Food Network’s pastry inspired reality show “Cupcake Wars.”

After surviving two elimination rounds, Starbuck advanced to the final phase of the challenge held at Kentucky Derby 137.

Starting today, Starbuck will be donating 50 percent of the proceeds from sales of her signature Blueberry Pancakes cupcakes at the weekly Friday Food Fair & Artisanal Marketplace at Chefs Center in Pasadena (45 N. San Gabriel Blvd.) through the month of July. This was one of her winning flavors at the Cupcake Wars competition.

For those outside the L.A. area, she is also offering her cake-ups version of the same flavor as they travel well and stay fresher longer. For donation information, please visit http://www.thegoodiegirls.com/churchill-downs-tornado-relief.html.

The Derby will also be fundraising tonight at its scheduled Downs After Dark night racing program. Track officials made the decision to resume live racing after surveying damage to a number of barns and other structures in the Churchill Downs stable area Thursday morning. The track will remain open for live racing for the remainder of its scheduled live racing dates for the 2011 Spring Meet, which is set to conclude on Monday, July 4.

“I am overly grateful for how amazing the people were from Louisville and at Churchill Downs when I had the honor of being selected to win Cupcake Wars and ending my event at the Derby this year,” Starbuck says. “When I heard about the tornado, it broke my heart, as Churchill Downs holds a special place in me.  I had no option but to try and do anything I could to help.  Even if it is one cupcake at a time, I know every little bit helps in the time of need. It’s my way to say ‘thank you’ to Louisville and everyone at Churchill Downs for allowing me one of the best experiences of my life.”

Slated to open this summer, Starbuck’s first Goodie Girls storefront will be located in Glendale, California, just two blocks away from the bustling Americana at Brand shopping and entertainment center.