Over 240 people turned out at Kutshers Country Club in Monticello, New York on October 26 when the Monticello-Goshen Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association held its 50th annual Awards Banquet.
Hal Jones was honoured with the organization's Lifetime Achievement Award. Gail Cunard, Ray Schnittker, Peter Goold, Dave Offenberg and Matt Pepin were also cited and Hogies Cam was named Horse of the Year.
Jones, a career horseman and longtime farm manager whose introduction of artificial insemination revolutionized the breeding industry, was honoured for his contributions to the sport. Jones was a farm manager at some of the sport's top breeding establishments and he and son Steve's Cameo Hills Farm bred and raised some great horses including Deweycheatumnhowe.
Cunard was presented the Chapter's Excelsior Achievement Award for her outstanding efforts promoting the standardbred sport. In 1985, she became administrator and CEO of the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame since 1985 and in 1996 took over the directorship of the institution. Cunard was the project manager for the museum's renovation and her traveling exhibits have thrilled racing fans in the U.S and Canada for years.
Peter Goold was the recipient of the Amy Bull Crist Distinguished Service Award from Historic Track for his dedication and service to the National Historic Landmark. As the director of the Agriculture and N.Y. State Horse Breeding Development Fund, New York Sires Stakes programs have become regular features at Goshen and an integral part of each season's racing programs.
Ray Schnittker was awarded the chapter's first Most Happy Fella Award named for the great sire that was mainly responsible for the growth of the breeding industry in New York State. Schnittker, with his outstanding trotter Deweycheatumnhowe, won the famed Hambletonian and Kentucky Futurity, as well as other top stakes. Deweycheatumnhowe is now the all-time leading money winning two and three-year-old trotter in the sport.
For all he has done to further racing locally, the Middletown T-H Record's sports editor, Matt Pepin, was the recipient of the chapter's Good Guy Award. He is responsible for the inclusion of horse racing on the newspapers website and he has his staff regularly write features on harness racing events of local interest.
Dave Offenberg was named the Chapter's Amateur Driver of the Year. A businessman by trade, Offenberg not only has invested in hundreds of race horses, including the likes of Yes Its True, Continentalvictory, Mr Vic and Angus Hall, but he is involved in every facet of the industry, from breeding to driving. For all that he brings to the sport, Offenberg is the personification of a gentleman driver.
Hogies Cam, the winningest horse in North America, was named Horse of the Year. The 10-year-old Camluck gelding has already won 21 races -- the fastest in 1:56:1 -- and earned purses of over $42,000 while racing in the claiming ranks. He is owned by Charles Strukel of Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, trained by Bob Beauregard and driven by Jordan Stratton.
Abaton Hanover received the Comeback of the Year Award this season after beginning the year in low-class trots and working his way the winners/over class, taking a record of 1:59:2 and earning over $39,000. He is owned and trained by Jody Riedel and driven by Jordan Stratton.
Talented Jimmy Marohn, Jr. received the Chapter's Rising Star Award and he will undoubtedly be one of the driving stars of the future. Thus far this season, Marohn has won 155 races and ranks among the leading drivers at the Mighty M this year.
John Fielding's Giacometti was named Two-Year-Old Colt Pacer of the Year, while Bernie Ban's, B Intensified garnered the Two-Year-Old Filly Pacer of the Year award. Ray Allen and Brent Schlossberg's Never Missed was named Two-Year-Old Trotting Colt of the Year and Salt Hill Farm's Smartina Pants earned the Two-Year-Old Filly Trotter of the Year award.
The Three-Year-Old Pacer of The Year honours went to Charlie and Giorgan Iannazzo's, New Release. Dan Henry, Sr.'s Austin's Jon Jon was the choice for Three--Year-Old Trotting Colt of the Year, while Don A. and Don P. Atlas's High Limit earned accolades as the Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year.
The Older Trotting Horse of the Year award for the second consecutive season went to Bill Mulligan's Donnegal, while Catch A Break Stable II's Match That took home the trophy as Older Trotting Mare of the Year.
Rebecca Williams' Nevertroubletroubl walked away with the Older Pacing Horse of the Year award and Redmak Enterprises' Double Dream N was the unanimous choice for Older Pacing Mare of the Year honours.
Since claiming races are a staple of Monticello Raceway's racing programs, multiple awards were presented in the claiming categories.
Claiming Pacer awards went to Mary Beth Beauregard's Trot West Bandit and her Financial Aid. Bruce Aldrich's Missys QT and Richie Ingrassia's Mystical Tenor were also cited.
Claiming Trotter awards were presented to Woody Hoblitzell's, U S Stars N Stripes, Sam Rice's Odee Ozar and Jackie Rousse, Joe Farinella and Shawn Christner's Sudden Speed.
Alan Schwartz was presented a Presidents Award and Michelle Logothery was the recipient of the Caretaker of the Year honour.
Charles Strukel walked away with the Owner of the Year Award after a great season by his Hogies Cam. Peter J. Lutman III received the Max A. Brewer Award as the most promising young driver.
(USHWA)