JOCKEYS RIDE TO RESCUE MS WITH MEMENTOS.(Local)

Byline: Grace O'Connor Staff writer

When 8-year-old Jody Bragdon of Cambridge, Mass., arrived at the Saratoga Race Course Thursday for a family outing, he didn't know he'd soon meet top jockey Angel Cordero Jr.

Bragdon's father paid $300 so six family members could join a benefit in the Paddock Area called the 5th annual Race Against MS or Multiple Sclerosis - a crippling neurological disease.

They were in good company.

Assemblyman Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, was the high bidder on the whip Cordero used in the last race of the 1986 August meet at Saratoga on his way to garnering the driver's title for the 11th time. Tonka, who paid $185 for the donated item, said he expected to use it "as a display item in my office."

Cordero was one of several jockeys who dropped by the benefit to pose for photos and sign autographs. The jockeys donated items from whips to boots for the auction.

Despite the handicap of a temperamental sound system, the Capital District Multiple Sclerosis Society came out a winner.

"We're just ecstatic," said Albany lawyer Salvatore Ferlazzo, chairman of the fund-raiser. The organization had hoped to raise about $20,000 from an expected 250 supporters of the "Race Against MS."

"We have an overflow crowd. And there has been tremendous enthusiasm and support," Ferlazzo said. Although no final tally of the proceeds had yet been made, he said the prognosis was excellent.

Bob McDougall, morning announcer for radio station WQBK, served as master of ceremonies. He introduced experts who put on a handicapper's seminar - Bob Sloat, Bill Johnson, Bill Heller and Bruce Lombardi.

With honorary benefit chairman Albany County Executive James Coyne and MS board chairman James V. Pugliese, he urged the audience on to higher bids.

Socialite Marylou Whitney offered for auction one of her hats, "trimmed with herbs and flowers from Kentucky." Courtney Eversole of Boston paid $380 to wear it.

A limited edition etching - Genuine Trash - by Times Union society columnist Frances Ingraham was purchased at auction by Robert Freihofer for $350.

Freihofer Baking Co. was among sponsors of races which benefited the cause of MS. Others included National Savings Bank of Albany; E. Stewart Jones; Peat, Marwick, Main & Co.; First Albany Corp.; the Galesi Group; Chicago Title Insurance Co.; and, WQBK Radio.

Capital District MS has been active 30 years, providing services to more than 2,000 clients in 18 counties. The Northeast has the highest incidence of MS in the country.

Multiple Sclerosis is a neurological disease that primarily affects young adults, often leading to severe disabilities. To date, the cause and specific treatment are unknown.

CAPTION(S):

PHOTO - TIMES UNION PHOTO BY SKIP DICKSTEIN

FOR SALE - Items to be auctioned by the Multiple Sclerosis Society are displayed by, from left, Eileen Haggerty, Connie Marolda, Barbara Fausner and Vito Grasso.