Columbus, OH — The USTA is awarding four scholarships, totaling $8,000, to Association members attending the Racing Official’s Accreditation Course to be held June 16-23 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn.

The 60-hour course provides formal classroom study, covering both basic, day-to-day responsibilities of a judge as well as more technical subjects including medications and drug testing and administrative law and hearings. At the conclusion of the course, students will complete a series of five exams covering the information presented. Scholarships awarded assist members in covering the cost of the school, lodging and other school-related expenses.

The recipients are Victor Kirby, Gino Mattucci, Chris Shaw, and Randall Smith.

Victor Kirby is a long-time driver/trainer from Milford, Del., with more than 5,000 wins as a driver. He has been the leading dash and money-winning driver at Harrington Raceway and has also won multiple Grand Circuit and major stakes races.

Gino Mattucci of Bell, Fla., is a Standardbred owner, formerly a driver/trainer, currently working as a large animal veterinary technician. Gino grew up around racetracks in New York, most notably Roosevelt Raceway, where his father, Eugene, operated a racing stable. During the Florida training season, he also helps the Val Grondin stable at Gil Crest training center.

Chris Shaw of Washington, Pa., has been a successful driver/trainer for the past 18 years, racing mainly at both pari-mutuel and fair tracks in Pennsylvania. The fourth generation horseman has more than 1,000 driving wins in his career.

Randall Smith of West Pittston, Pa., has been a Standardbred owner since 1989 and also spent 15 years as a driver/trainer on the Pennsylvania circuit. He currently works for a medical provider and hospital in northeastern PA.