John Herbuveaux and Daryl E. Parker were recognized as the 2021 Pete Pedersen Award by the Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP) at the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program's Global Symposium on Racing and Gaming Awards Luncheon in Tucson, Arizona Tuesday. The award is presented to stewards who have demonstrated professional excellence, integrity, and benevolent consideration in the performance of their duties. Contributions of time and expertise to the horse racing industry on the local and national levels are also significant factors in the selection of Pedersen award winners.
The award is named in honor of Pete Pedersen, the nationally recognized California steward and accomplished journalist who set a standard of excellence.
Herbuveaux, accredited by ROAP in 1993, served as a racing official in New Mexico, Louisiana, Idaho, Arizona, Canada, Washington and California. He has also held the position of racing secretary, announcer and director of racing. He served as a steward in California at a number of tracks, including Santa Anita and Del Mar.
Parker, who will be awarded the honor posthumously, was the first African American to serve as a steward in U.S. racing history. Beginning in 1986, he was a steward in Michigan, in addition to all three Ohio tracks. The former exercise rider and jockey agent also holds the distinction of being the second Black racing official in the country while at Fairmount Park and Cahokia Downs.
The award for Parker will be presented to his son, DeShawn, at a later date in a separate ceremony in Ohio.
The Pete Pedersen Award special selection committee is composed of five members: Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day; former The Jockey Club steward and NYRA track veterinarian Dr. Ted Hill; Dan Metzger, TOBA president; Scott Wells, president of Remington Park and Lone Star Park; and former leading trainer and ROAP accredited steward Hal Wiggins.
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