Going to the Races

Published 11:54 am Thursday, October 12, 2017

Abigail Marion is a 5-year-old girl with a love for Disney princess movies, strawberry ice cream, anything purple and watching “Doc McStuffins” cartoons.

But especially those Disney princess movies.

Abigail was also diagnosed with neuroblastoma in April 2015.

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So when the Make-A-Wish Foundation asked the Nicholasville girl what her wish was, she requested a trip to Walt Disney World. She wanted to meet those princesses — and meet them she did, last October,  along with lots of other characters, riding all the rides she wanted and staying at Give Kids The World Village resort with her family.

According to her father, Chris, Abigail is now a year cancer-free.

The positive attitude she maintains, however, makes her a superhero in her own right.

On Thursday, Oct. 12, Abigail will be one of 10 children from Kentucky and Indiana who will be honored at Keeneland for Make-A-Wish Day.

In its tenth year, Make-A-Wish Day raises funds to help grant wishes for children battling life-threatening medical conditions. According to the organization, there are currently more than 200 children in Kentucky waiting for their wish to come true.

On Thursday, Abigail will be sponsored by Lane’s End, and she and her family will have the opportunity to not only meet jockeys in the paddock, but watch sponsor races from the winner’s circle and make the presentation of a trophy to the winner of her sponsor’s race.

The event will begin with a VIP luncheon for the wish families at noon in the Phoenix Room. The Lane’s End Race that is sponsoring Abigail is scheduled for 4:24 p.m.

“She’s super excited,” Abigail’s mother, Alexandria, said. “She got a new dress with horses on it for the event.”