The Florida chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association held its 27th annual Florida Harness Racing Hall of Fame banquet this past Friday evening (March 2) at the Royal Fiesta Ballroom and inducted three new members into the hall.

There were 14 awards given out and the three Hall of Fame inductees were the highlight of the evening. Induction recognizes special individuals who have been outstanding leaders within the industry for more than ten years who have contributed to the betterment of the Standardbred industry.

The inductees were owner/trainer/driver Dan Daley of Vero Beach, longtime trainer/driver Warren Harp of Bell, and renowned second trainer Odell Thompson of Lauderdale Lakes.

“What a special honour this is tonight for all my years working in harness racing,” said Harp. “I could not be prouder with this award and am especially thankful to the Florida USHWA chapter.”

Horsewoman Marianne Audley presents Warren Harp with his Florida Harness Racing Hall of Fame trophy (Skip Smith)

“It is so great to get this special honour,” said Daley, “and to have my family with me tonight made it all the better.”

Florida USHWA chapter members Fred Segal (background) and Ann-Mari Daley present Dan Daley with his Florida Harness Racing Hall of Fame trophy (Skip Smith)

“I was just about speechless when I went to the podium to get my trophy,” said Thompson. “I could not thank enough people to have helped me throughout my career and who have been my friends for so many years. It’s a blessing I will never forget.”

Florida USHWA chapter president Steve Wolf (left) presents Odell Thompson with his Florida Harness Racing Hall of Fame trophy (Skip Smith)

Elected to the Communicators Corner of the Florida Harness Racing Hall of Fame was renowned author, owner and publicist Victoria Howard, of Boca Raton.

“This is one of the biggest thrills of my lifetime,” Howard said. “I could not be happier. I love writing about racing, owning and breeding racehorses, everything about harness racing. It has been in my blood for most of my life and I could not think of doing anything else but being in this great sport.”

Florida USHWA chapter member Bob Marks presents Victoria Howard with her Florida Harness Racing Communicators Hall of Fame trophy (Skip Smith)

The William Popfinger Award for developing outstanding juvenile pacers went for the second time to trainer Kim Sears of Osteen. Sears could not make the dinner, but her trophy was accepted by horsewoman Donna Richardson and former USHWA National Chairman of the Board Chris Tully. The current president of the Monticello-Goshen Chapter of USHWA, Tully was also the event’s special auctioneer for the evening.

Florida chapter treasurer Thomas H. Hicks was the emcee for the evening presentations. All money raised from the silent auction, live auction and program journal go to support the Allen J Finkelson Scholarship Fund and the Aime Choquette Sunshine Fund.

The Stanley Dancer Award, which recognizes achievements of a trainer who has been continuously outstanding in the development of young trotters, was presented for the first time to trainer-driver Jason MacDougall of Astor.

Winner of the Delvin G. Miller Award, which recognizes someone or an organization whose life in harness racing reflects dedication and integrity furthering the growth of the sport went to Elizabeth Hennessey Schaut of Pompano Beach.

The Frances Dodge Van Lennep Award, which recognizes an outstanding female who has made great contributions to the sport, was presented to Kathy Breedlove of Pompano Beach.

The Peter Haughton Award, which goes to an upcoming young driver at the Pompano Park meet went to 23-year-old James ‘JD’ Yoder of Bell.

The winner of the Dana Irving Award for breeding excellent juvenile performers in 2017 was presented for the first time to Marianne and Maggie Audley of Gold Star Farm in Bell.

The Florida USHWA chapter's Lifetime Achievement Award went to longtime trainer/driver Tom Merriman of Delray Beach and caretaker, racetrack maintenance man, Emmitt Davis of Pompano Beach.

The annual Caretaker of the Year Award is presented to an outstanding individual who, over his or her career, has dedicated untiring time and efforts caring for the horses in the stable(s) they worked for. This year's winner was Joanie Uszak from the Mike Murphy Stable, who has been grooming horses for nearly 60 years.

“It was a superb event tonight,” said Florida USHWA chapter president Steve Wolf. “Everyone had such a great time with family and friends and those who won awards I know were well earned and will cherish them always. We even had a rousing chorus of ‘happy birthday’ for Ann-Mari Daley’s mom, Cookie Fedun, the longtime horsemen’s valet at Pompano Park, who was celebrating her 89th birthday. It’s all made for a fun-filled evening.”

(USHWA)