HHI to honor Parenti, Harvey, Cramer

Anthony J. Parenti, Ellen Harvey and Carol Cramer will be honored for their service to the Standardbred industry by Harness Horsemen International during its annual meeting March 2-6 in Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Parenti, the former longtime president of the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey, will receive HHI’s Man of the Year Award. Harvey, executive director of the U.S. Trotting Association’s Harness Racing Communications division, will be honored with the Clyde Hirt Media Award while Cramer, the retired USTA stakes director and editor of the Stakes Guide, will be given the Appreciation Award.

A Standardbred horse owner for many years, Parenti retired from the SBOANJ board of directors last October after 21 years of service, including 14 years as president and three years as a vice president. He was elected in November to the Borough Council in his hometown of Fanwood, where he served as police chief for 22 years, in his first run for public office. Among other positions, Parenti served as director of the Stamler Police Academy in Union County, and president of the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police and the New Jersey Traffic Officers Association.

“We are proud of Mr. Parenti and appreciate all he has done for New Jersey horsemen,” said Tom Luchento, current SBOANJ president.

Harvey has spearheaded the promotion of harness racing to national and local media during her 13-year tenure at HRC, fostering coverage of the sport in outlets from Sports Illustrated to community newspapers and television/radio stations.

Cramer, who retired in May, joined the USTA in 1965 and a year later was put in charge of the Stakes Guide, which she single-handedly compiled annually. She also developed a yearling nomination book, then an events calendar, both of which are popular features in the sport today.

HHI, led by President Dominic Frinzi, represents harness horsemen from racing jurisdictions throughout the United States and Canada. Formed in 1964, it functions as a clearinghouse of information for its member groups by disseminating federal and state level news and encourages ideas and suggestions aimed at improving the sport. (HHI)

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