Event to be Highlighted by Presentation to Florida Thoroughbred Legends Manny Tortora, Walter Blum and Richard Root
UPDATES!!
- City of Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper will join us to make a special proclamation! Make sure to be in #GulfstreamPark’s Ten Palms Restaurant no later than 5:45 p.m. to meet her!
- Local Musical Artist Jake White to Entertain!
Here’s your chance to help your fellow horsemen make a difference to ensure a solid future for Florida Thoroughbred racing!
Join us at Gulfstream Park on Thursday, December 10, 2015 as the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protection Association (FHBPA) holds our annual Board of Directors Nominating and General Membership meeting.
Nominations for Board candidates will be taken at the meeting, which begins after the day’s final race (around 5:30 p.m.) in Gulfstream’s “Ten Palms” Restaurant.
“We are focused on gathering a solid slate of statewide candidates who are prepared to do the tough work to ensure we keep Florida’s business climate strong and viable for horsemen,” FHBPA Elections Chairman Marcus Vitali said.
To read the FHBPA election and nomination procedure, click HERE (begins on page 7).
A buffet dinner will be served prior to the event’s official presentations of FHBPA “Man of the Year,” an annual award that will go this year to Florida all-time leading trainer Manny Tortora. The FHBPA will also bestow its “Lifetime Achievement Award” to Hall of Fame Jockey and longtime Florida steward Walter Blum, and powerhouse trainer Richard Root, a past FHBPA President.
“It’s fitting that, in this history-making Triple Crown year, that these three men who have been the backbone of daily Florida Thoroughbred racing take our organization’s top honor,” FHBPA President Bill White explained.
Live musical entertainment will be provided at the event by popular local artist Jake White.
There is no charge for owners and trainers to attend the event with guests.
The FHBPA has accomplished numerous goals in 2015, including working closely with Gulfstream Park to achieve full racing fields and purse increases. The organization’s benevolence activities include after care for retired Thoroughbreds and continued support of its on-track medical clinic. In addition to overhauling its Web site and increasing its social media and community footprint, the FHBPA also launched the ongoing NoDecoupling.com campaign to thwart legislation in 2016 that would devastate the Florida horse racing business by making live racing days optional for pari-mutuel facilities and “decoupling” slot machine revenues from purses.