Hervey winners announced

The contest was sponsored by harness racing executive Jeff Gural.

“Cracking the Whip is an articulate, in-depth look at the use of the whip in harness racing,” judge Lou Monaco said. “With extensive research and comments from leaders of the industry, it is a four-step fix-it piece into the abuses of whipping; from enforcing existing rules, changing the rules, changing the whip and eliminating whips all together. It is a terrific piece on an action that often gets out of hand on a daily basis.”

Honorable mentions in the news/commentary writing category were awarded to Alan Kirschenbaum of the Canadian Sportsman for his column “The Cold Slap: We have never been more irrelevant,” and to Stanley Gutkowski of the Canadian Sportsman for his piece “Pilfering the Pot in Pennsylvania.”

Briggs’ feature story was termed “a terrific profile of Greg Peck and his maturation as a trainer rewarded with the sport’s ultimate victory in the Hambletonian,” by judge Mike Farrell.

“While the profile covers all the bases--Muscle Hill, the owners and driver Brian Sears--Peck is the heart and soul of a well-crafted story.”

Honorable mentions in the feature writing category were awarded to Nicole Kraft of Hoof Beats for her story “One Great Save” and to Adam Bianco of Hoof Beats for “Profound Connection.”

Pattak and Briggs will be honored for their accomplishments at USHWA’s annual awards dinner, to be held Feb. 28 at Yonkers Raceway in New York. (HRC)

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