After decades of involvement in and support of harness racing, Maryland residents James and Sara Mae Wilkins have been honoured with a lifetime achievement award.

The Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association recognized the couple with a lifetime achievement award at this month’s annual banquet, held at the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department. Tom Cooke, former CSOA president, nominated them for the award.

“We will probably never be able to find a nicer couple in our industry,” CSOA Executive Vice President Gina Maybee said as she presented the award. “The industry is better with you in it.”

The Wilkins, who live in Willards, Md., are well known at Ocean Downs and Rosecroft Raceway. They’ve campaigned local standouts such as Bo Jam, a Maryland Sire Stakes winner who equalled a track record held by SJs Photo as a two-year-old, and Spriggy, a son of Navasota that raced from 1982 to 1993 and earned more than $227,000. While the Wilkins never have more than a few horses at a time, they continue to be familiar, friendly faces at Delmarva racetracks.

“We thank you for all that you have done over the years and look forward to the treats and conversation you bring to the paddock,” Maybee said.

(Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association)