Harris to Receive Pincay Award
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Photo:
Hollywood Park
John Harris will be presented the ninth annual Laffit
Pincay, Jr. Award during the Hollywood Gold Cup program Saturday, July 7 at
Betfair Hollywood Park.
Pincay, a member of racing’s Hall of Fame since 1975, will
make the presentation between the fifth and sixth races.
The Pincay Award is presented yearly to someone who has
served the sport with integrity, extraordinary dedication, determination and
distinction.
“John Harris has been an important and very well respected figure
in California racing for many years,’’ said Pincay. “He’s continues to be a
huge supporter of the sport and has been extremely active at many levels in numerous capacities.’’
A California native who was born in Fresno, Harris is the
chairman and chief executive officer of Harris Farms, Inc., a diversified
agricultural production and marketing company which also breeds and races thoroughbreds.
Founded in 1937, Harris Farms is located in the San Joaquin Valley
near Coalinga.
One of the largest producers of agricultural products in the
United States, Harris Ranch Beef Company is California’s largest fed cattle
processor.
A graduate of UC Davis with a degree in agricultural production, Harris is a member
and past steward of The Jockey Club, a former director of the Thoroughbred Owners of
California, past president of the California Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association
and a member of the executive committee and twice served as chairman of the
California Horse Racing Board.
As an owner and breeder, Harris has campaigned such stars as
Soviet Problem, the runner-up in the 1994 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Compari, Work
the Crowd, Lucky J.H., Alphabet Kisses and the recently retired Unzip Me.
Tiznow, the two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, and
multiple stakes winner Cost of Freedom were also raised at Harris Farms.
Additionally, Harris has served on the boards of the
Breeders’ Cup, Grayson-Jockey Club Research and the Center for Equine Health/UC
Davis Advisory as well as the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, the California
Cattlemen’s Association and the Pacific Legal Foundation.
The Pincay Jr.
Award was introduced by Hollywood Park
in 2004 with esteemed executive and racing publicist Bob Benoit the initial
winner.
Trainer Noble
Threewitt was the recipient in 2005, while the Stute brothers — Mel and Warren
— shared the award in 2006. Owner/breeder Ellwood W. “Bud” Johnston, whose Old
English Rancho is one of the most storied names in California
racing, won the award in 2007, while distinguished steward Pete Pedersen was
the recipient in 2008. Merlin Volzke, who also had a noteworthy career as a
steward, became the first former jockey to win the award in 2009. The Oak Tree
Racing Association was honored in 2010 and Jerry and Ann Moss were the winners
in 2011.
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