This past Friday (Jan. 11), the Delaware Standardbred Owners Association held its 22nd annual awards dinner. The Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund champions were also honoured during the evening.
The awards were emceed by Heather Vitale and Bill Ellis. In the beginning of the evening, a special tribute video was also played to honour the memory of Hall of Famer and Dover Downs Publicity Director Marv Bachrad, who recently passed away.
A highlights video from the DSOA-produced ‘Post Time Show,’ which airs on the local CBS affiliate, was also shown before the awards were given out.
There were seven DSOA scholarships awarded totalling $7,000. The winners of those scholarships were Lena Berry, Sydney Botsch, Amanda Bowman, Camryn Dennis, Brendan Gray, Alleigh Townsend and Riley Wolfenden.
Several legislators came out to celebrate our Standardbred industry’s stars during the evening, including Governor John Carney, Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Senator Trey Paradee, Senator Dave Wilson, Representative Gerald Brady, Representative Ruth Briggs-King, Representative Ron Gray, Representative John Kowalko, Representative Shannon Morris, Representative Charles Postles, Representative Mike Ramone, Rep Lyndon Yearick and retired Senator Nancy Cook.
The DSOA Directors are President Andy Markano, 1st Vice President Brenda Bramble, 2nd Vice President George Dennis, Treasurer Frank Deliberti, Secretary Frannie West, Richard Ashley, Jim King Jr., Vic Kirby, Charles Marsh, George Teague Jr., Valerie Warnick and Ross Wolfenden.
Also in attendance were representatives of the Delaware Harness Racing Commission and Delaware Department of Agriculture including Chairwoman Beth Ann Steele, Commissioner George Statts, Commissioner Pat Wagner, Secretary of Finance Rick Geisenberger and Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse.
The following is a list of award winners from the evening:
Harrington Raceway Awards
Claimer of the Meet at Harrington Raceway – Aunt Betty
Owner: Ron Davis – Trainer: Brooks Gray
Trotter of the Meet at Harrington Raceway – Murmur Hanover
Owner: Zippett Racing Stable – Trainer: Jay Gannon
Pacer of the Meet at Harrington Raceway – Foolish Heart
Owners: Tom Lazzaro and Brit Evans – Trainer: Dylan Davis
Dover Downs Awards
Claimer of the Meet at Dover Downs – Mister Virgin
Owner: Ron Davis – Trainer: Brooks Gray
Trotter of the Meet at Dover Downs – Theresademoninme
Owners: Michael Casalino and Dylan Davis – Trainer: Dylan Davis
Pacer of the Meet at Dover Downs – Bodega Bay
Owner and Trainer: Gary Ewing
Special Recognition Award – Lather Up
The Delaware-owned and trained three-year-old pacer had an incredible year, including a win in the North America Cup.
Owned by Gary and Barbara Isles – Trained by Clyde Francis – Driven by Montrell Teague
Special Recognition Award – Shartin N
The Dan Patch Award winner became the first pacing mare in history to win a million dollars and is First State-trained and co-owned.
Owned by Rich Poillucci and Jo Ann Looney-King – Trained by Jim King Jr. – Driven by Tim Tetrick
President’s Special Appreciation Award – Delaware Secretary of Finance Rick Geisenberger. The Delaware Secretary of Finance is a huge supporter of the business and an important part of our Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund program.
James T. Case Jr. Horizon Award – Joe Columbo
The award is presented to a young horseperson who is a rising star on our Delaware circuit.
The Delaware Standardbred Breeeders Fund Awards were also given out on this evening. The list of winners are as follows:
Two-Year-Old Filly Trotter – Disco Soliel
Breeder and Owner: Rod Allen
Trainer: Rod Allen and Carlo Poliseno
Driver: Rod Allen
Two-Year-Old Filly Pacer – The Lady Sheriff
Breeders: George Teague Jr. and K&R Racing
Owners: George Teague Jr., K&R Racing and Montrell Teague
Trainer: Clyde Francis
Driver: Montrell Teague
Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Trotter – Embrace The Grind
Breeders: Leigh and Tyler Raymer
Owner and Trainer: Bobby Glassmeyer
Driver: Jon Roberts
Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Pacer – Chillaxin Away
Breeder and Owner: Jo Ann Looney-King
Trainer: Jim King Jr.
Drivers: Vic Kirby and Tim Tetrick
Three-Year-Old Filly Trotter – Star Sapphire
Breeder: Serendipity Stable
Owner: Shirley Shand
Trainer: Tui Stone
Driver: Russell Foster
Three-Year-Old Filly Pacer – Go Sandy Go
Breeders: Brent Outten and Green Racing
Owners: Richard Lombardo, Brent Outten and Green Racing
Trainer: Josh Green
Driver: Jason Green
Three-Year-Old Colt Trotter – Super Fly
Breeders: Marvin and David Meyer
Owners: Stacy Johnson-Stafford, Leigh Raymer and Stephen Moss
Trainer and Driver: Art Stafford Jr.
Three-Year-Old Colt Pacer – Slick Tony
Breeder, Owner and Trainer: George Leager
Driver: Russell Foster
Pacing Broodmare Of The Year – Queen Kathy
Owner: George Leager
Dam of DSBF champion Slick Tony
Trotting Broodmare Of The Year – MLT Feds
Owner: Ronald Whitehouse
Dam of Super Fly and Spunky MLT
(Delaware Standardbred Owners Association)