Dr. Karyn Malinowski, director of the Rutgers Equine Science Center, was voted the LeeAnne Pooler Unsung Hero Award, and Freehold Raceway announcer Larry Lederman was selected for the WR Haughton Good Guy Award by balloting of the membership of the United States Harness Writers Association [USHWA].
The awards will be presented at USHWA’s Dan Patch Awards Dinner, honoring Stan Bergstein, to be held Sunday, February 12, 2012, in Florida at the DoubleTree Hilton at Orlando SeaWorld.
It was Dr. Malinowski’s research and expert testimony that provided the academic credibility for those battling to save the Meadowlands Racetrack.
It has been Malinowski’s initiatives, especially the 2007 Economic Impact Study and its follow-up report this year which provided the unimpeachable data for lawmakers on the value of horse racing and the far reaching implications for the loss of jobs, tax revenue and farmland if the tracks were to be closed.
“We have long known what a gem Karyn is and how lucky we are to have her in such a prominent position in the academic world in our state,” said Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey President Tom Luchento. “She has been a treasured member of the equine community in New Jersey for many years and now the rest of the country will learn about her contributions through this much deserved honor. Her expert testimony before legislators and the solid research in the documentation she was able to provide were invaluable in our efforts to save the Meadowlands – we couldn’t have done it without her. We join USHWA in ‘singing’ her praises.”
Malinowski’s passion for horses and racing extend to her participation as both an owner and amateur driver.
For more than three decades Lederman has been the man of many voices, using his ability to imitate celebrities to entertain racing fans during his calls. First and foremost, he is an accurate race caller who has worked behind the microphone at many tracks, most recently at Freehold.
This past spring, however, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, leading to a battle to which he has brought his sense of humor and resiliency.
Lederman has spoken frankly about his health problem in an effort to educate. As much as he can, he continues to call races, make public appearances and share his unflagging sense of humor.
“Larry’s positive outlook is so impressive,” said Luchento. “We have the utmost respect for him and only wish him the best.”
Lederman, who began his racing career in 1977 as a chart taker for the Daily Racing Form, became an announcer after winning a contest. He started calling races at Atlantic City Race Course in 1985 and at Garden State Park in 1990. Later that decade, he became the Freehold Raceway track announcer.
“Larry Lederman has always been a good guy, but his illness has brought his contributions to harness racing sharply into focus,” the New Jersey chapter of USHWA said in nominating him for the award.
For tickets to attend the banquet, contact Steve Wolf at stevejw@bellsouth.net. For congratulatory ads in the journal contact Kim Rinker at trotrink@aol.com.
