NTWAB 2021 Award Winners: Photo Essay
From our Annual Awards Dinner held at The Brigantine Del Mar on Nov. 3, 2021, we bring you shots of our award winners and our chief event planner for this wonderful evening.
Dan Smith (left) went to work as a publicist for Del Mar in 1964 and made a lively career there. The Joe Palmer Award was presented to him by Jay Hovdey.

Lenny Shulman was named to receive the Walter Haight Award, which was presented by Frank Angst. Lenny couldn't be at the dinner and addressed the crowd via phone.

Steve Byk was honored with the Jim McKay Award for his prodigious radio work covering all things Thoroughbred racing. The photo includes the charity for whom NTWAB made a donation at Steve's request. Rick Hammerle made the presentation. Donations were made on behalf of all the major award winners.

Mike Shear was on hand to help us honor his dad, John Shear, who was the Santa Anita paddock captain for decades. Gary Mandella riveted the assembled when he told about the Mr. Fitz Award winner, now age 100, saving a 5-year-old girl from an out-of-control horse in the Santa Anita paddock 10 years ago, and later cheerful while hospitalized with a dozen injuries.

Bob Ehalt and Alicia Hughes were the 2021 NTWAB writing award winners.

Julie Sarno (left) provided great leadership organizing the dinner with Loren Hebel-Osborne, and Jay Sarno (right) generously provided and set up sound for the event.
Photos by Loren Hebel-Osborne

Peter Lurie, with the lights of Del Mar and the occasional train behind him, graciously served as Master of Ceremonies at our dinner.

.
