Gural wins Van Lennep

July 31, 2006

Jeff Gural has been named the recipient of the 2006 Frederick L. Van Lennep Memorial Achievement Award, presented since 1987 by the Breeders Crown Committee of the Hambletonian Society. Real estate mogul Gural, whose role in harness racing has expanded from fan, to owner and breeder, is an instrumental player in the revitalization of racing in his home state of New York.

Gural, chairman of Newmark Knight Frank, a multi-billion dollar New York City commercial real estate firm, was instrumental in bringing video lottery terminal legislation into law in the Empire State, which has resulted in millions for purse accounts at many of the New York tracks.

He then formed a partnership with a gaming company, Nevada Gold, to purchase a defunct Thoroughbred track in upstate New York -- Tioga Park. The refurbished facility opened in June to rave reviews, and recently hosted its first Grand Circuit race, the Tompkins-Geers Stakes.

The partnership also acquired trouble-plagued Vernon Downs, which had not conducted a race meet in two years. Vernon's new season is scheduled to open on Aug. 26, at the tradition-laden seven-eighths mile oval, scene of many great races and the home to legendary horses and drivers during its 50-year history.

In addition to his work at Newmark Knight Frank, Gural is a member of the board of directors of the Real Estate Board of New York and devotes much of his time to civic, charitable, and industry organizations, and he has been president of the New York Chapter of the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation for the past 20 years.

The award honors the memory of the late Frederick L. Van Lennep, a visionary figure in the harness racing industry, and a driving force behind the creation of the Breeders Crown.

The Hambletonian Society is a non-profit organization formed in 1924 to sponsor the race for which it was named, the Hambletonian Stakes.

The Society's mission is to encourage and support the breeding of Standardbred horses through the development, administration, and promotion of harness racing stakes, early-closing races, and other special events. These include 129 of harness racing's most prominent races at tracks across North America. Here is a list of the past Van Lennep Award winners:

Year: Winner(s)
2006: Jeff Gural
2005: Bruce Garland and Hugh Mitchell
2004: Ontario Racing Commission,
2003: The Red Mile Ownership, Lexington, KY
2002: Norma Campbell
2001: Joe DeFrank
1999: Niatross and Walnridge Farm, and Carol Cramer
1998: The Meadowlands Racetrack, and the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame
1997: The Ontario Jockey Club
1996: Tomas Bertmark
1994: Tom Charters
1993: Bob Rosburg, Jr.
1992: "Trader Bud" Hatfield
1991: John Simpson, Sr.
1990: Louis P. Guida
1989: Norman Woolworth
1988: Castleton Farms
1987: ESPN Television
(Breeders Crown)

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