by Steve Wolf, for Florida Chapter USHWA

Pompano Beach, FL — Fred Segal, president of the Florida Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association, has announced the award winners for the 2011 season. They will be honored at the association’s 21st annual Hall of Fame awards dinner on Sunday, February 19, at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott North Hotel.

Elected to the chapter’s Hall of Fame, which recognizes special individuals who have been outstanding leaders within the industry for more than ten years and who have contributed to the betterment of the Standardbred Industry, are Jim McDonald of Ft. Lauderdale, Doug Miller of Lake Worth, Walter Ross, Sr. of Margate and the trotting stallion, Famously, who stands at the Gluhm Farm in Trenton.

Winner of the Delvin G. Miller Award, which recognizes someone whose life in harness racing has maintained the dedication and integrity furthering the growth of the sport, is Jean Bryar of Pompano Beach. Receiving induction to the Communicators Corner for his outstanding journalistic career covering and handicapping harness racing is Erwin Grossman of Delray Beach.

The Frances Dodge Van Lennep Award, which recognizes an outstanding female who has made great contributions to the sport, goes to Donna Richardson of Deerfield Beach. Winner of the R.D. Ricketts Award, which goes to an owner or owners whose contributions to Florida racing has been outstanding, is the Polo Stable (Mark Friedman, Rosemary and Eugene Friedman) of Boca Raton. Winner of the Dana Irving Award for breeding outstanding juvenile performers in 2011 is Russell Peavyhouse of Plant City.

The William Popfinger Award for developing an outstanding juvenile pacer goes to Phil Peavyhouse of Plant City. The Stanley Dancer Award, which recognizes achievements of a trainer who has been continuously outstanding in the development of trotters, goes to Mel Turcotte. The annual Caretaker of the Year Award is presented to an outstanding individual who over his or her career has dedicated untiring time and effort towards caring for the horses in the stable(s) they worked for. This year’s honoree is Maggie Audley of Bell.

The Peter Haughton Award for the best newcomer to Pompano Park goes to Jason Dillander of Anderson, Ind. The Dan Gawlas Good Guy Award, presented annually to an outstanding individual who has always contributed to the sport, goes to Greg Perry of Pompano Beach. The Florida USHWA Chapter’s Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Gordon Norris of Pompano Beach.

In addition to the Florida USHWA chapter’s awards, presentations will also be made by the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association to the owners of the top 2- and 3-year-old state-bred trotters and pacers in 2011 and the Breeder of the Year, Amante Standardbred, Inc. of Delray Beach. The Florida Amateur Driving Club will also present their year-end awards.

Tickets are $60 per person for the full course dinner that also includes a one-hour open bar with appitizers. Tables of ten are available. For more information, to purchase tickets, or place a congratulatory ad in the program book, please contact Rosie Huff at the Florida Standardbred Breeders Office at 954.972.5400, rosie@fsboa.com, or Steven Wolf at 954.654.3757, stevejw@bellsouth.net.