Columbus, OH — U.S. Trotting Association President Russell Williams announced Tuesday (March 5) that Florida State Representative Dan Daley and Caesars Entertainment Senior Vice President Joe Morris are the recipients of the annual USTA President’s Awards.

Williams will present the awards during a Recognition Luncheon on Saturday (March 9) as part of the USTA Board of Directors meetings at the Hilton Columbus at Easton in Columbus.

Dan Daley. Florida House of Representatives photo.

Daley, who was first elected to the Florida Legislature in 2019 and represents Northwest Broward County, grew up in a harness racing family, often spending free time as a child working in the stables with his parents, Dan and Ann-Mari. At the age of 18, while attending Florida State University, Daley began working as an intern for a local state representative, and soon was hired as a fulltime legislative aide.

In 2012, the then 22-year-old Daley became the youngest elected official in Florida when he won a seat on the Coral Springs City Commission. He became vice mayor in 2015 and president of the Broward League of Cities in 2017 while also completing a law degree.

Two years later, Daley was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. He was re-elected in 2022.

During his time as a legislator, Daley teamed with the state’s horsemen and worked diligently in an attempt to safeguard pari-mutuel harness racing in Florida, introducing and, as late as last year, reintroducing bills that would have provided an avenue for the continuation of the sport despite a decoupling bill that was signed in 2022.

“Dan has worked tirelessly as a champion of harness racing in Florida and continues to love the sport and its equine athletes,” Williams said. “We thank him for his dedication, compassion and advocacy for Standardbred horses and horsemen.”

Morris, a native of Maine, also has deep family ties to harness racing. His late uncle Loring Norton was president of the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association and a founder of the Maine Sire Stakes program. Morris’ cousin Bruce Ranger also is a member of the New England Hall of Fame.

Joe Morris. Photo courtesy of Joe Morris.

When he was 12, Morris began working at the family’s Norton Farm, a top Standardbred breeding and racing operation in Maine, and continued there for a number of years. After getting a business and finance degree, Morris worked in harness racing at Hinsdale and Foxborough, where he was general manager at the age of 25.

From there, he enjoyed a varied career in Thoroughbred racing, including as president of NTRA purchasing, publisher of the Thoroughbred Times, vice president of sales and operations for the Stronach Group, president of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, and senior vice president of West Coast Operations for the Stronach Group Racing and Gaming.

Morris has worked for Caesars Entertainment since 2020. Among Caesars Entertainment’s racing properties are Harrah’s Hoosier Park, Eldorado Scioto Downs, and Harrah’s Philadelphia. During his tenure, Hoosier Park has hosted two successful and well-received editions of the Breeders Crown (setting a two-day track record for handle last year) while Scioto Downs unveiled a new grandstand in 2023 as part of more than $25 million in renovations.

In addition, Caesars Entertainment was the title sponsor for the Dan Patch Awards banquet in 2024, marking its third consecutive year in that role.

“Joe has been a friend of harness racing and made an impact upon the industry as an owner, breeder, and executive,” Williams said. “We thank you for your contributions on many levels to the sport.”