Turf Publicists of America

Trainer Ken McPeek, who campaigned GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) and GI Kentucky Oaks winner Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), will be awarded the 2024 Big Sport of Turfdom award, the Turf Publicists of America announced Monday. The award, which recognizes a person who enhances coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with media, will be presented at the University of Arizona Race Track Program's annual awards luncheon held Dec. 10. "Ken and his team have had an outstanding year with multiple triumphs on not only our sport's biggest stage...

Trainer Jena Antonucci, who orchestrated the 2023 campaign of GI Belmont S. and GI Travers S. winner Arcangelo (Arrogate), will be presented with the Big Sport of Turfdom award by the Turf Publicists of America (TPA). The award, which recognizes a person or group of people who enhances coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with media and racing publicists, will be given to Antonucci at the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program's annual awards luncheon in Tucson Dec. 5. Born in Hollywood, Florida, Antonucci, 47, was introduced to the...

Cody Dorman, whose namesake Cody's Wish captured the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile earlier this month, will be presented with the Turf Publicists of America's 2022 Big Sport of Turfdom award. Dorman was born with the rare genetic disorder Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome and is unable to walk or communicate without utilizing a tablet. The now 16-year-old first met an unnamed foal by champion Curlin when Godolphin hosted Cody and his family during Keeneland's Make-A-Wish Day in 2018. From their first meeting, the colt always showed an uncanny interest in Cody and...

During the Turf Publicists of America award luncheon at the Global Symposium Tuesday, Dave Zenner and Tom LaMarra were re-elected as secretary-treasurer and vice-president, respectively, and Ryan Martin was elected as vice-president; his first time on the board. Dave Zenner is a freelance publicist, a racing official at Hawthorne, and was the stakes coordinator at Arlington Park. Tom LaMarra holds a diverse set of positions including Communications Director for the Maryland Thoroughbred Horseman's Association, and Coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championships. NYRA's Ryan Martin is a racing communications specialist. The...

Wendy Davis from the Race Track Industry Program at the University of Arizona has been elected president of the Turf Publicists of America (TPA) for 2021 and 2022, it was announced Tuesday by outgoing President Amy Gregory. At the same time, it was announced that Najja Thompson from the New York Thoroughbred Breeders has been re-elected as a vice president, and because of a tie in the voting both Claire Crawford from the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and Kevin Kerstein from Churchill Downs Racetrack have been elected vice presidents for...

Trainer and racing analyst Tom Amoss will be recognized by the Turf Publicists of America (TPA) with the 2020 Big Sport of Turfdom award, presented annually at the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program's annual awards luncheon during the Symposium on Racing & Gaming. With this year's symposium cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Amoss will be jointly recognized next year with the 2021 winner. The Big Sport of Turfdom award honors a person or team who enhances coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with media and racing publicists....