The third annual Charger Derby raised approximately $85,000 for scholarships on Saturday, according to its sponsoring group, the Hillsdale College Women Commissioners. 

Hosted in the Searle Center, the event included simulated horse racing, an auction, and a cash bar. Organizers said 100% of the funds will go toward student scholarships.

Attendees were invited to bet on horses in races played on a projector screen for the crowd. Committee Member Louise Worms said members of the crowd can bet on and buy names for the horses.

“People can buy a horse for $25, and if you buy a horse, you get to name it,” Worms said. “It’s very fun to read the names people have chosen for horses. Sometimes they’re serious and sometimes they’re just for fun.”

The auction included art from Hillsdale alumni, a climb up the Central Hall tower, monogrammed Hillsdale athletic equipment, vacations, and golf outings. 

New York Times bestselling novelist C.J. Box offered to allow the top bidder to name a character in a forthcoming book.

“We try very hard to get viable auction items,” Worms said. “That’s something we pride ourselves on, in getting nice things that people will want. But yet all of the excitement from the evening is from the derby itself.”

Attendance was lower than expected, according to Worms, as the derby date coincided with hunting season.

“Our goal was $100,000 for gross intake, but we did not achieve that,” Worms said. “We had higher costs this year, so our profits are not going to be what we’ve had in the past.”

Junior Mary Ann Powers receives a scholarship funded by the Women Commissioners. She said the money has relieved her of a great financial burden.

“It’s allowed me to focus more on my studies and my involvement in various activities,” Powers said. 

Powers said she helped set up for the event as a gesture of gratitude to the Women Commissioners.

“It was an opportunity to meet the women who work so hard to raise the money for our scholarship funds, take the time to listen to our stories, and help us out in whatever capacity they’re able to,” Powers said. “They  imparted so much wisdom and knowledge on us.”