Marshall, Ross, Sells, Basil into Florida Hall of Fame

Pompano Beach, FL – The Florida Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association held their 25th annual Florida Harness Racing Hall of Fame awards dinner Friday.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame were former race secretary Kenny Marshall, trainer/drivers Wally Ross, Jr. and Tom Sells, and on the equine side, the trotting stallion, Basil. The association also presented its annual horsemen/women awards.

In addition, the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association (FSBOA) presented their 2015 Crystal Awards to the top state-bred horses this past season and the Florida Amateur Driving Club (FADC) presented their "driver of the year" award.

The silver anniversary event took place at the Ft. Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort and Spa with more than 150 people in attendance.

Wally Ross, Jr.’s induction was only the second time in the history of the Florida Harness Racing Hall of Fame that a father and son has been inducted. Wally Ross, Sr. was inducted in 2011. The other father-son combo were William Haughton (1990) and Tommy Haughton (1998).

It was also the first time in 25 years that the same trainer won both the William Popfinger Award and the Stanley Dancer Award as the top trainer of pacers and trotters. That award went to Mike Deters.

In attendance were Hall of Famers William Popfinger (1991), Ron Waples (1994), Wally Hennessey (1996), Joe Pavia, Jr. (1996), Jake Huff (2004), Fred Segal (2005), Dr. Mark Phillips (2008), Mike Deters (2009), Dr. Paul Caputo (2010), David Ingraham (2010), Jim McDonald (2011), Walter Ross, Sr. (2011), Marc Aubin (2012), Christine Garrity & Anthony Amante (2014) and Lou Rapone (2014).

2015 Florida UWHWA Awards

Delvin Miller Award (Goodwill) – Victoria Howard

Dana Irving Award (Breeder) – Laurie Poulin

R.D. Ricketts Award (Contributions) – Richard Dunmire

Stanley Dancer Award (trotting trainer) – Mike Deters

William Popfinger Award (pacing trainer) – Mike Deters

Lifetime Achievement Award – Gerald Nelson

Lifetime Achievement Award – Allen Saul

Dan Gawlas Award (Good Guy) – Dein Spriggs

Peter Haughton Award (Newcomer) – John Cummings, Jr.

Peter Haughton Award (Newcomer) – John MacDonald

Frances Dodge Van Lennep Award (Outstanding woman) Ann-Mari Daley

Allen Finkelson Award (Promotions) – Thomas H. Hicks

Caretaker of the Year Award – Tracey O'Leary

FSBOA Crystal Award Winners

2yo Pacing Filly – Prairie Sweetheart

2yo Pacing Colt – Gleneagles

2yo Trotting Filly – Gold Star Briana

2yo Trotting Colt – Rexamillion

3yo Pacing Filly – Davita

3yo Pacing Colt – Owosso Flash

3yo Trotting Filly – Livy M

3-yo Trotting Colt – Prairie Fortune

Older Pacing Mare – Limelight

Older Pacing Horse – Hillybilly

Older Trotting Horse – Lugar

2015 Breeder of the Year – Laurie Poulin

FADC Driver of the Year – Dein Spriggs

From the Florida Chapter of USHWA