by Moira Fanning, publicity director, the Hambletonian Society

Cranbury, NJ — At the recent meeting of the U.S. Harness Writers Association (USHWA), it was unanimously voted to rename the Breakthrough Award, which annually honors a non-trainer/driver for early career accomplishments, after the legendary Lew “Tootie” Barasch, who passed away last year at age 90.

Barasch, a former sportswriter for the Long Island Daily Press and press rep for Paramount Pictures and United Artists, was the publicist for Roosevelt Raceway until it closed in 1988. During his tenure there he developed the International Trot into a global event, and mentored many young publicists. Inducted into the Communicators Hall of Fame in 1995, Barasch was an integral and irreplaceable figure for many years in USHWA.

Jason Settelmoir, the dynamic vice-president of racing and simulcast operations at both Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs, was voted the first Lew Barasch Breakthrough award winner and honored at the writers’ February banquet.