By Bloodhorse.com
ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 30, 2014) — Art Sherman, who trains Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner California Chrome, and others were honored the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association the evening of Oct. 29.
The award was among those presented at the NTWBA’s 55th annual dinner held at the Derby restaurant in Arcadia, Calif.
Sherman, who will saddle California Chrome in the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I), received the NTWBA’s Mr. Fitz Award, “typifying the spirit of racing.” The Mr. Fitz Award is named in honor of James E. “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons, the trainer who won the coveted Triple Crown twice with Gallant Fox and Omaha.
Sherman, 77, began training career in Northern California after a successful career as a jockey that spanned more than 20 years. He is in the twilight of his career, with Chrome’s successful Triple Crown run ending with a fourth-place effort, 1 3/4 lengths behind winner Tonalist, in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
The Joe Palmer Award, named for the Turf writer and presented “for long and meritorious service to the sport, went to W. Cothran “Cot” Campbell, instrumental in popularizing the racing syndication concept through his Dogwood Stables. Among the horses campaigned by Dogwood have been classic winners Palace Malice and Summer Squall.
Tom LaMarra, the online content editor of The Blood-Horse magazine, received the Walter Haight Award for “career excellence in turf writing,” and Charlsie Cantey, the retired broadcaster, won the Jim McKay Award for “excellence in broadcasting.”