The Monticello-Goshen Chapter
USHWA held their 55th Annual Awards Banquet for the second
consecutive year in Middletown, NY at The Fountains on Sands Road on Sunday,
November 17. The night got underway with a cocktail hour at 5:30pm followed by
dinner at 7pm. During the evening awards were presented to the deserving
recipients.
The Harness Writers presented
its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award to Tom Charters. He is the
longtime President & CEO of the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown,
a Director of the Hambletonian Society, a Trustee of the Harness Racing
Museum, ate ward of the Grand Circuit and former president of the American
Harness Racing Secretaries among his many other industry accolades.
For all that he has done for the Standardbred sport,
especially in the breeding business in New York State, the Chapter was proud to present its Excelsior Award to Mike Kimelman.
Besides being president of Blue Chip Farms Mike is a member of the
Goshen Historic Track Board of Directors as well as a member of the SOA of NY
and a U.S.T.A. District Director since 2002. He has also trained and has driven
harness horses and occasionally still does.
Also
honored was Derick Giwner, who became the fifth recipient of the Phil Pines
Award. He was a writer and editor for the periodical Sports Eye and over the years, despite
takeovers and name changes at the company, Derick managed to work his way up
the ladder to his current position as the Editor of DRF Harness for the Daily
Racing Form. Derick also an amateur driver and he’s always looking to
promote harness racing.
Eric Warner, the popular and
well liked director of racing at Monticello Raceway was the recipient of the
chapter’s Good Guy Award. Over the years Warner’s efforts went hand and
hand with the tracks promotion department and together they presented many aces
that drew national attention.
Jerry Fielding was the
unanimous choice for the 30th annual Amy Bull Krist Award for his
dedicated service at Historic Track. As a member of the tracks race
committee, Jerry almost singled-handedly produces the matinee races in June. He
secures the photo finish patrol, the timers, the recording judge, the associate
judges, and he dons his presiding judge cap and oversees the races.
An Award of Appreciation was
given to Wanda Polliseni for her tremendous support of New York State
harness racing and breeding with her Purple Haze Stable and for her
unconditional love for the animals. During the evening program Wanda made
a substantial donation to Historic Track.
This year’s Amateur Driver of
the Year Award went to Monica Banca, the fiery, competitive Scandinavian who
has shown the ability to beat the boys with regularity. In 21 starts she has
seven victories, six seconds and two thirds and a .534 UDR thus far this year.
The Rising Star Award went to
22-year-old Austin Siegelman who has blossomed into a sought after
catch driver now with over 53 winners at the current meet. Ruth Ingham,
from the Vernon James Stable, received the Caretaker of the Year Award.
Horse of the Year honors went
to the Nancy Fugere-owned, Bob Lounsbury-trained, Tracys Song. Her 21 seasonal
victories still ranks her tops in races won in North America this year
and her 18 consecutive triumphs this past summer established a new Mighty M
track record..
Trades In Motion was named
the 3 year old colt trotter of the year while Dough Dough garnered the 3 year
old trotting filly of the year award.
Civil Cause garnered the
older trotter of the year award while Distinct Victory was the older trotting
mare of the year. The older pacing horse award went to 20-time winner Haroun
Hanover while Tracys Song also took home the older pacing mare award
Since the majority of the
races at the Mighty M are claiming races, pacing awards went to DVC
Gifted Indeed, Fuguzzi, Real Motivation, NF Beach Candy, Red Eye Blue Chip,
Edie’s Desire Prince of Pleasure, Rusty’s Flying, Thunder Seelster, and Another
Mike. Claiming trotter awards were garnered by Strongbow, Famous Dude, JN
Sydney, Majestic Man, Valcyon Days, Miley Jo and B Twenty Nine..
More than 200 guests
attended the banquet and track publicist John Manzi again served as the master
of ceremonies.
