Dover, DE – The Delaware Standardbred Owners Association (DSOA) held their 27th annual Awards Dinner in January and recognized outstanding performers from Bally’s Dover and Harrington Raceway. On this evening, the Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund champions were also honored, along with other horsepeople deserving recognition.

Among the attendees at the 27th annual DSOA awards banquet were (standing) Delaware Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long and DSOA Treasurer Frank Deliberti, and (sitting, from left) Dr. Paul Hanebutt, next to DSOA President Andy Markano. Fotowon photo.

The following is a list of award winners from the evening:

Claimer of the Meet at Bally’s Dover – WINBAK WILLY T
Owner & Trainer: Darren Ferrell

Trotter of the Meet at Bally’s Dover – SWAN’S MAID
Owner: Nanticoke Racing & Delbert Cain
Trainer: Les Givens

Pacer of the Meet at Bally’s Dover – PENZANCE HANOVER
Owner & Trainer: Art Stafford Jr.

Claimer of the Meet at Harrington Raceway – DECLAN SEELSTER
Owner: J&T Davis, LLC
Trainer: Tyler Davis

Trotter of the Meet at Harrington Raceway – REMARKABLE DE VIE
Owner: TLB Racing
Trainer: Traci Berry

Pacer of the Meet at Harrington Raceway – LIVE LOVE LINDY
Owner: Carolyn & Toby Lynch Jr.
Trainer: Toby Lynch Jr.

SPECIAL APPRECIATION AWARD – Pam Polk, Charlene Sharpe & Chris Sharpe
This family has put in long hours and a lot of hard work to keep harness racing as part of the Pocomoke Fair, where many of our local drivers have gotten their start.

DSOA PRESIDENT’S AWARD – Paul Hanebutt, DVM
In addition to the wonderful care Dr. Hanebutt has given our horses, he has also contributed to the DSOA newsletter for 20 years and represented our racing community at many commission meetings.

JAMES T. CASE JR. HORIZON AWARD – Cody Poliseno
Poliseno was given this award is to recognize his achievements in 2023 as his star begins to rise on the Delaware circuit.

The Delaware Valley Chapter of the United State Harness Writers Association presented their Caretakers of the Year Award to Wyatt Vitale-Beaver and Judy Couture for their ongoing dedication and passion for our Standardbred horses.

The Delaware Standardbred Breeeders’ Fund Awards were also given out on this evening.
The list of winners are as follows:

2-YEAR-OLD COLT/GELDING TROTTER – LG’S JAXSON
Breeder/Owner: Nanticoke Racing
Trainer: Les Givens

2-YEAR-OLD FILLY TROTTER – GOING PLATINUM
Breeder: Shaun Callahan – Owner: Breakaway Racing – Trainer: Nick Callahan

2- YEAR OLD COLT/GELDING PACER – BEAT COP
Breeder: Gretchen Roland
Owner: PT Stable
Trainer: Crissy Crissman-Bier

2- YEAR-OLD FILLY PACER – CURTSYFORPURRSECO
Breeder: Winbak Farm
Owner: Jo Ann Looney-King
Trainer: Jim King Jr.

3-YEAR-OLD COLT/GELDING TROTTER – KODACK BLACK
Breeder: George Teague Jr.
Owner: Lakiyah Teachey, David Collins & George Teague Jr.
Trainer: Clyde Francis

3- YEAR-OLD FILLY TROTTER – SHE IS STRONG
Breeder/Owned: Jeff Clark
Trainer: Art Stafford Jr.

3- YEAR-OLD COLT/GELDING PACER – GAITWAY GUY
Breeder & Owner: GTY Stable
Trainer: Jeff Smith

3-YEAR-OLD FILLY PACER – MISTY COAST
Breeder & Owner: Stephen Messick
Trainer: Les Givens
Driver: Art Stafford Jr.

TROTTING BROODMARE OF THE YEAR – NIDAROS
Breeder: Torkil Pederson
Owner: Jeff Clark
Dam of She Is Strong and Blessingsforbrandi

PACING BROODMARE OF THE YEAR – CRUISINTHECOAST
Breeder: Wayne Shaffer Jr. & Wayne Shaffer III
Owner: Stephen Messick
Dam of Misty Coast, Peak’s Cruiser, and Papas Son

The DSOA gave out six scholarships totaling $6,000 to the following students: Amanda Bowman, Mary MacDonald, Maura MacDonald, Shawn Murray Jr., Jonas Scott and Nikajah Teachey.

Several legislators came out to celebrate our Standardbred industry’s stars on this evening including:
Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, Sen. Eric Buckson, Sen. Kyra Hoffner, Sen. Spiros Mantzavinos, Sen. Trey Paradee, Sen. Dave Wilson, Rep. Stephanie Bolden, Rep. Bill Bush, Rep Bill Carson, Rep. Ron Gray, Rep. Kerri Harris, Rep. Valerie Jones-Giltner, Rep. Stell Parker Selby, Rep. Charles Postles and Rep. Lyndon Yearick.

The DSOA Officers are President Andy Markano, First Vice President George Dennis, Second Vice President George Teague Jr., Treasurer Frank Deliberti and Secretary Frannie West.
DSOA Directors include Rich Ashley, Tom Ireland, Jim King Jr., Vic Kirby, Carlo Poliseno, Jason Skinner and Ross Wolfenden. John Hensley is the Executive Director and recently took over the position in November for Sal DiMario, who was with the organization for over 25 years.

Also in attendance were representatives of the Delaware Harness Racing Commission and Delaware Department of Agriculture including: Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse, Chairwoman Beth Ann Steele, Executive Director of the Delaware Harness Racing Commission Mark Davis, and Executive Director of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund Judy Davis Wilson.

United States Trotting Association District 11 attendees were Chairperson Matt Sparacino and Director Corey Callahan.

The awards were emceed by Heather Vitale and Matt Sparacino. A highlights video from the DSOA-produced Post Time Show, which airs on the Delmarva Sports Network, was also shown before the awards were given out.