NTWAB's Clancy Named For David F. Woods Memorial Award
Joe Clancy of ST Publishing Inc., a member of National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, is being recognized for outstanding journalism coverage of the 2020 Preakness at Pimlico Race Course. Patrick Smith of Getty Images has also been named for his work.
Clancy was named recipient of the David F. Woods Memorial Award for "Force of the Filly" published in the November 2020 edition of Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred after Swiss Skydiver won against males. Clancy also won the Woods award in 2015 and 2017.
The story is posted here.
Clancy was named recipient of the David F. Woods Memorial Award for "Force of the Filly" published in the November 2020 edition of Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred after Swiss Skydiver won against males. Clancy also won the Woods award in 2015 and 2017.
“I was kicking around the Pimlico barn area the day before the Preakness, taking notes, talking to people,” Clancy said. “The place felt empty, a little strange due to the Covid restrictions on attendance and media access. It was October, not May.
"And then I saw Kenny McPeek hosing Swiss Skydiver's legs outside the barn and thought of all the horses I hosed when I worked in my father's barn. I wandered over, said hello, fed the filly a mint or two and Kenny and I talked horses for a while. It was amazing. I remember walking away hoping she would win so I could write about it. She had to come through on the track, and did she ever. The battle with Authentic was just what the 2020 Preakness needed, and it was an honor to tell her story.”
The story is posted here.
Clancy is the owner, publisher, editor and a writer for ST Publishing Inc., parent company of thisishorseracing.com, and editor of Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred, a monthly magazine published by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association. In 2014 he won an Eclipse Award for excellence in writing. Clancy lives in Fair Hill.
Smith, a staff photographer at Getty, was named recipient of the Jerry Frutkoff Photographer Award for his photo of Swiss Skydiver and Authentic battling in the stretch. The image was published by Getty on Oct. 3, 2020.
“I loved the facial expression of (Robby) Albarado as he went nose-to-nose with the filly to defeat the Kentucky Derby winner,” Smith said. “All the excitement we dream of when photographing racing was there.”
Smith acknowledged co-worker for Rob Carr for his support and vision, and his late grandfather Paul Szugaj for his love of Thoroughbred racing.
“I loved the facial expression of (Robby) Albarado as he went nose-to-nose with the filly to defeat the Kentucky Derby winner,” Smith said. “All the excitement we dream of when photographing racing was there.”
Smith acknowledged co-worker for Rob Carr for his support and vision, and his late grandfather Paul Szugaj for his love of Thoroughbred racing.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t say anytime I’m against the rail photographing racing – those two are on my mind,” he said.
The award-winning photo may be viewed here.
Clancy and Smith will be recognized Friday at Pimlico.
Ben Baugh, a longtime member of NTWAB, died unexpectedly overnight after the Kentucky Derby. He was 60. Baugh lived in Reddick, just north of Ocala, Fla., and most recently worked with 352today.com, where fellow journalist Scott Harrell described him as a consummate newsman. "In fact, the only things Ben loved more than the place he lived were the equine sports it helps nurture and support," Harrell wrote. "His final stories for 352Today concerned the region’s connection to his cherished Kentucky Derby. “Ben was a dedicated journalist who cared deeply about his work and the community he served. He brought curiosity, professionalism, and a steady presence every day,” wrote North Central Florida Media GM Lisa Varner in an internal announcement published at 352today. “His contributions to 352today and the stories he told will have a lasting impact, and he will be greatly missed.” Former trainer Randy Bradshaw eulogized Baugh on Facebook, writing "That’s so sad - spent a week with Ben when he was doing a piece on Wayne Lukas, he was a great person and talented writer!" Former jockey Pablo Morales posted upon his retirement, "I wanna give a huge thank you to Benjamin Baugh for writing about my career and my retirement, having his support thru my time as a jockey has been an honor...." Baugh's coverage of U.S. efforts to support local military veterans drew the praise of Todd Belknap, an official of Vets Helping Vets. "I met Ben when I was the Deputy Director at Vets Helping Vets USA. Ben was so approachable, and he had a keen sense of humor to navigate the rigors of journalism and the mine fields that accompany the trade," Belknap wrote. "Ben helped us tremendously at Veterans Helping Veterans USA, always fitting us in on his already crammed schedule whenever we had a story or event we needed help promoting." Baugh's LinkedIn bio says he was a graduate of Ashland University in Ohio and covered politics, public safety, education, religion, entertainment and equestrian sports for 28 years. He had previously written for the Ocala Gazette, its former sister publication Ocala Style, and Past the Wire. According to the latter publication, Baugh was "an intern at Thoroughbred Racing Communications, and through hands-on time at Adena Springs South and Crupi’s New Castle Farm, learning racing not just as a craft but as a way of life." Ed DeRosa of Horse Racing Nation posted at X, "Worked with Ben at TTimes way back when.RIP!" A report at 352.com says Baugh was discovered on the morning of May 3 by his stepfather, John Butt, who came to wake him for church. According to his Facebook page, Baugh is survived by his brother Matthew Baugh and cousins Errol Portman, Rita Schineis, Lorraine Portman and Carolyn Dent. A post at 352today.com says information about any memorial events will be forthcoming. We at National Turf Writers and Broadcasters extend our sympathies to Ben's family, friends and colleagues. By Dick Downey .
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