Harness racing hall of fame communicator and World War II decorated veteran Murray Janoff will be honoured at Pompano Park on Saturday as he celebrates his 100th birthday.

Janoff, of Boca Raton, will have the third race on the program named in his honour, as family, friends and well-wishers are all invited to join him in the winner’s circle for a special race blanket presentation.

Arranged and hosted by the Florida chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association, it is hopeful that 100 people will in the winner’s circle for the presentation race. Janoff will also be interviewed after the race is official.

Janoff is the only surviving member of the original group of harness racing journalists who met 68 years ago and formed the United States Harness Writers Association. The organization votes for the annual Dan Patch Harness Horse of the Year award winners and also the inductees of the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in Goshen, NY.

He was inducted into the Harness Racing Communicators Hall of Fame in 2007.

Janoff is also a decorated World War II veteran who landed on Normandy Beach and fought in five major campaigns, including the Battle of the Budge, and served in Gen. George Patton’s legendary Third Army. He left the army as a Major, received five Battle Star decorations including the Bronze Star and after the war picked right up as a sports journalist for the rest of his career.

The third race special presentation for Murray Janoff is scheduled to take place 8 p.m. and the public is invited to attend free of charge.

(USHWA)