by Carol Hodes, for the SBOA of New Jersey

Manalapan, NJ — It was already late in the day when Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association President Tom Luchento was presented a plaque by the Freeholders of Monmouth County at the Hall of Records on April 27.

Carol Hodes photo

Tom Luchento accepts the Proclamation of Thomas F. Luchento Day plaque from Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian Burry.

It was Thomas F. Luchento Day, according to the presentation (see full text below). Only there was little time to celebrate. Too many meetings, too many calls and too many hot issues have filled Luchento’s days and nights as the Standardbred racing community braces for more battles to save the Meadowlands Racetrack and racing in New Jersey.

One day was not enough. Maybe a month or maybe an annual celebration. Tom accepted the good-natured ribbing.

Still, it was nice to take a few minutes to collect the framed document from Freeholder Lillian Burry, an acknowledgement of Luchento’s work and the importance of the racing community to the people of Monmouth County.

Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders
Proclamation
Thomas F. Luchento

Whereas, Thomas F. Luchento, President of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey is a staunch advocate of the entire equine industry; and
Whereas, the horse is the state animal of New Jersey and the horse breeding industry involves tens of thousands of acres of farmland and millions of dollars to support the trainers, caretakers, veterinarians, blacksmiths, feed providers and others who are responsible for the broodmares and stallions; and
Whereas, a vibrant, healthy horse breeding and horse racing industry is vital to our economy as it is reported that equine-related farms represent 20 percent of the agricultural business in New Jersey, with 700 farms, 176,000 acres of land and 13,000 jobs that are devoted to horses; and
Whereas, throughout the years, Thomas F. Luchento has been acknowledged for his service to the equine industry with the 2008 Stanley Dancer Media Award and the 2010 Governor’s Trophy as Horseperson of the Year.
Now, therefore, the Board of Chosen Freeholders commend the energy, dedication and personal commitment Thomas F. Luchento exhibited to horse breed, horse racing interests and the entire equine industry, and proclaims this day, April 27, 2011 as “Thomas F. Luchento Day”
Signed by Freeholds Robert D. Clifton, Thomas A. Arone, John P. Curley, Amy A. Mallet and Lillian G. Burry.