from the Florida Chapter USHWA

Pompano Beach, FL — The Florida Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association’s president, Steven Wolf, has announced that one additional award will be presented at the association’s 25th annual Silver Anniversary Hall of Fame Awards Dinner on Friday (Feb. 19) at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort and Spa in Pompano Beach.

In addition to Allen Saul, a Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to trainer Gerald “Jerry” Nelson.

Nelson, 83, who now resides in Coconut Creek, was born in Truro, Nova Scotia, and started working with Standardbreds as a young boy and then went to California with the great Joe O’Brien, rising to the ranks of second trainer.

Nelson also was first trainer with Archie McNeil, Ron Waples, Joe Pavia Jr. and Wally Hennessey, working much of his career at Pompano Park.

“Jerry has been around horses all his life,” said Hall of Famer Wally Hennessey. “He was always reliable, super with the horses, he was the whole package and to this day, grooms at Pompano Park always ask how he is doing. Everyone has nothing but the upmost respect for him.”

Elected to the chapter’s Hall of Fame, which recognizes special individuals who have been outstanding leaders within the industry for more than 10 years and who have contributed to the betterment of the Standardbred industry, are veteran trainer/drivers Wally Ross Jr. of Coral Springs and Tom Sells of Margate, former Pompano Park race secretary Ken Marshall of Livonia, Mich., and the top trotting sire, Basil, who is retired at James Gluhm’s farm in Trenton.

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 from the 2015 season and the annual Breeder of the Year Award. The Florida Amateur Driving Club will also present their year-end awards.

Tickets are $80 per person for the full course dinner that begins at 6 p.m. with a one-hour open bar with appetizers. Tables of ten are available. For more information, to purchase tickets, or to place a congratulatory ad in the program book, please contact Rosie Huff at the Florida Standardbred Breeders Office at 954.972.5400, rhuff@myfsboa.com, or Steven Wolf at 954.654.3757, stevenwolf1956@gmail.com.