by Debbie Little

New York, NY — The New York City chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association is proud to announce that its 50th anniversary awards banquet will take place on Sunday, April 27, in the Good Time Room at Yonkers Raceway.

This historic dinner will honor the top performers of the half-century as well as the stars of 2007.

The top honoree at the dinner is Timothy J. Rooney, who has been chosen as Man of the Half-Century as well as Man of the Year. Over those 50 years, Yonkers Raceway was the place to race and under Rooney’s leadership is today one of the premier tracks in the sport.

Carmine Abbatiello, who dominated the Yonkers-Roosevelt circuit with a combined 17 dash crowns the Driver of the Half-Century, while the Gold Dust Twins, Stanley Dancer and Billy Haughton, are the top trainers for the golden anniversary.

One group of honorees that will get special recognition are those that competed in a race in 1963 at Roosevelt Raceway. Ebby Gerry, Jr., Dot Haughton, Andy Grant, Jr., Max C. Hempt, Norman Woolworth, Ira Kristel, Bob Baumann and Jud Pearson took to the track during the Long Island County Fair and made history in the first amateur race ever contested at Yonkers or Roosevelt. They will all receive the Amateur Pioneer Award.

Among the top honorees for 2007 are Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow, who will be recognized with the Clyde Hirt Good Guy Award, while Stephane Bouchard is the Driver of the Year and Jordan Stratton is the Rising Star Award winner.

The Banquet is open to the public. Tickets, at $100 each, are available by calling Dave Little at (212) 210-1691. And should anyone want to salute any of the award winners, space is still available in the charity journal.