by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — A festive group of around 300 horsemen, legislators and friends of harness racing turned out on Friday (Jan. 15) for the 19th annual Delaware Standardbred Owners Association awards dinner at Modern Maturity in Dover, Del.

The annual DSOA meeting at mid-day preceded the awards dinner. Its well-attended early evening cocktail hour was held under the auspices of DSOA Executive Director Sal DiMario and his staff of Denise Rothermel and Lisa Pearson.

Again this year, popular TV hostess Heather Vitale and annual visitor Bill Ellis served as co-emcees presenting videos of award winning horses plus colorful, fun-filled high spots of Vitale’s weekly “Post Time” programs on WBOC-TV.

Video highlights of the 2015 racing seasons featured top horses of the Dover Downs and the Harrington Raceway meets. A silent auction to benefit Horse Lovers United, Inc., a not-for-profit organization which provides a residence and care for retired horses, was held in conjunction with the banquet.

In addition to leading horsemen and friends in attendance at the banquet were, as usual, many of Delaware’s top legislative executives. The list included Congressman John Carney; State Senators Patti Blevins, Bethany Hall-Lon, Brian Pettyjohn, Colin Bonini, and Gary Simpson; along with State Legislative Representatives Earl Jacques, Gerald Brady, Kevin Hensley, Harvey Kenton (who presented the pre-meal blessing), John Kowalko, Bobby Outten, Trey Paradee, Steve Smyk, Dave Wilson and Lyndon Yearick.

in attendance were Delaware Harness Racing Commissioner Patricia Wagner, Executive Director Mark Davis and DSBF Administrator Judy Davis-Wilson. Also present were USTA District Directors, Chainman Dr. William Moffett and Russell MacKinnon.

Introduced were the DSOA board of directors — President, Andy Markano, Brenda Bramble, 1st vice president, Barbara Bramble, 2nd vice president, George Dennis, treasurer, Frank Diliberti, secretary, Frannie West. Other directors include Vic Kirby, Russ McKinnon, Charles Marsh, George Teague, Max Walton, Valerie Warnick, and directors’ emeritus, Dan Camac, Ralph Holloway and Presley Moore and Sal DeMario, DSOA Executive Director.

Also among the dignitaries were members of the media and three candidates for Governor of Delaware.

DSOA 2015 award winners:

The sixth annual James T. Case Jr. DSOA Horizon Award (to a horseman making outstanding progress during the year). This season’s winner was harness driver Jason (The Jet) Thompson, whose star is on the rise.

The DSOA 2015 Special Appreciation Award was presented to Patricia Blevins, President Pro Tempore of the Delaware Senate for her continued support for the Delaware harness racing industry.

2015 DSOA Special Appreciation Award presented to David L. Wilson, Delaware House of Representatives, for his continued support for Delaware’s harness racing industry.

2015 DSOA Special Recognition Award to Team Teague and Wiggle It Jiggleit, 3-year-old multi-stakes winner of the Meadowlands Pace, Max Hempt Memorial, Carl Milstein Memorial, Battle of the Brandywine, Little Brown Jug, Matron Stakes and the Hap Hansen Progress Pace, who is a winner of nearly $2.2 million.

2015 DSOA Special Recognition Award to Jo Ann and Jim King, a training duo whose horses earned more than $2 million in earnings while winning major stakes races in the North America Cup, Jenna’s Beach Boy, Lismore and the Lady Maud.

DSOA 2015 Special Recognition Award to Dudes The Man, winner of the Adios Stakes, owned by M & L of Delaware (Ralph, Roz, Doug Paul) and Victoria Dickinson.

The James T. Case Jr. 1,000 Scholarship in memory of the longtime DSOA President was presented and. again this year, the DSOA gave out a total of $6,000 in scholarship awards.

Each awards dinner aattendee received a multi-colored program featuring DSOA 2015 honored horses.

Horse Honorees

2-Year-Olds:
Trotters – Chipoffthewall-(colt)); Epic Smash-(filly)
Pacers – Rusty Carter-(colt); Apple Blossom Jeans-(filly)

3-Year-Olds:
Trotters – Political Foe-(colt); Callmemza-(filly)
Pacers – Sonofa Sizzle-(colt); Totally Rusty-(filly)

DSOA Horses of the Meet
Dover Downs
Horse of the Meet – Spin Vision, bred, owned, trained by Virginia Louthan
Trotter of the Meet – Can Do, owned by Chris Giaccio, trainer-driver Vic Kirby
Claimer of the Meet – Berry Berry Fast, owned by trainer Lorie and Paul Davis

Harrington Raceway
Horse of the Year – Playncardswitroddy, owned by trainer George and Tina Dennis, Inc. and Ask W Stables, Inc.
Trotter of the Year- Powerful Charger, owned by Tim Tetrick and trainer Jim King
Claimer of the Year – San Antony-O, owned and trained by Arty Foster Jr.

Following the awards presentation, an assortment of many door prizes were handed out. Music and dancing completed the evening.