NTWAB Winter Newsletter
Complete Turnout for Eclipse Voting
Good day NTWAB members. Keeping with the transparent tradition of our organization, here
is a spreadsheet that shows the first-place Eclipse Award votes for all our eligible Regular Writer and Regular Broadcaster members.
Of the 145 NTWAB members that received ballots, 145 were submitted. Great work by all, I can’t recall a 100 percent ballot return by any organization in the past! Overall, 224 of the 238 eligible voters from the three voting blocs submitted ballots (94.1 percent).
Voting for the Eclipse Awards remains a serious matter and a great privilege for our members.
On occasion our organization comes under scrutiny for our votes or voting practices, including questions about who is eligible, who should be eligible and how or why they get to cast ballots. This year proved no exception, with a few complaints via social media or to me directly or indirectly. I’ve addresses these concerns, often pointing to our bylaws and membership qualifications.
Another issue arose this year – and in past years – related to conflicts of interest. While it was not mentioned in voting instructions for the Eclipse Awards, members should recuse themselves from any category where they have a conflict of interest. This protects not only the voters’ individual integrity, but also the organization at large. Going forward it will be strongly suggested that any voters with a conflict of interest in any category to abstain from that category. The other voting groups (NTRA and Daily Racing Form) plan to do the same.
Membership Status/Review
Speaking of bylaws. We passed some changes to the bylaws in late 2020 related to membership status, reclassification and an annual review of membership status.
Over the last few months we’ve received a few notifications from members who felt they no longer met the criteria for Regular status (actively and professionally engaged … and “working” Turf writers or broadcasters) and asked to change to Associate status. Another example was a member no longer working in the media and taking themselves out of the organization voluntarily.
These cases were accepted and appreciated. If you feel your membership status might need to be changed, please contact me or NTWAB Secretary Jessie Oswald.
Per the bylaw changes last year “the Board of Directors shall review membership as needed, including at least an annual review beginning in January, to ensure members on a case-by-case basis still qualify on the basis under which they were initially admitted.”
A review is currently underway and the NTWAB Board could be following up to check on your membership status. After the review is complete the NTWAB Board could recommend a change without your request. If you agree with the proposed change you’ll have 30 days to accept and the reclassification will take place immediately. If you do not agree you’ll have 30 days to respond in writing to the NTWAB Secretary. The NTWAB Board will meet to act on the recommended change. Any reclassification over the objection shall require a vote of at least 60 percent of the members of the NTWAB Board.
Triple Crown Media Access
With a little more than 10 weeks until the Kentucky Derby and I reached out to the communications teams for the Triple Crown host tracks this week to see if any plans were in the works for media access in 2021.
We navigated the Belmont, Derby and Preakness, and then the Breeders’ Cup, last year and will formulate a plan for the NTWAB if we’re still seeing restrictions at the host sites. Thankfully NYRA never closed completely to media – frontside or backside – in 2020 and we can hopefully work with them again for the Belmont Stakes and beyond. Updates to come as they roll in.
The tentative plan is for the Derby Week meeting to return to Churchill Downs – Wednesday, April 28 in the Media Center. Additional details to come on the Derby meeting, which will include elections for three of the six director positions (2-year terms).
That’s all for now. I hope 2021 is off to a safe and healthy start. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, ideas, suggestions or complaints. Take care.
Tom Law
NTWAB President
February 18, 2021
Of the 145 NTWAB members that received ballots, 145 were submitted. Great work by all, I can’t recall a 100 percent ballot return by any organization in the past! Overall, 224 of the 238 eligible voters from the three voting blocs submitted ballots (94.1 percent).
Voting for the Eclipse Awards remains a serious matter and a great privilege for our members.
On occasion our organization comes under scrutiny for our votes or voting practices, including questions about who is eligible, who should be eligible and how or why they get to cast ballots. This year proved no exception, with a few complaints via social media or to me directly or indirectly. I’ve addresses these concerns, often pointing to our bylaws and membership qualifications.
Another issue arose this year – and in past years – related to conflicts of interest. While it was not mentioned in voting instructions for the Eclipse Awards, members should recuse themselves from any category where they have a conflict of interest. This protects not only the voters’ individual integrity, but also the organization at large. Going forward it will be strongly suggested that any voters with a conflict of interest in any category to abstain from that category. The other voting groups (NTRA and Daily Racing Form) plan to do the same.
Membership Status/Review
Speaking of bylaws. We passed some changes to the bylaws in late 2020 related to membership status, reclassification and an annual review of membership status.
Over the last few months we’ve received a few notifications from members who felt they no longer met the criteria for Regular status (actively and professionally engaged … and “working” Turf writers or broadcasters) and asked to change to Associate status. Another example was a member no longer working in the media and taking themselves out of the organization voluntarily.
These cases were accepted and appreciated. If you feel your membership status might need to be changed, please contact me or NTWAB Secretary Jessie Oswald.
Per the bylaw changes last year “the Board of Directors shall review membership as needed, including at least an annual review beginning in January, to ensure members on a case-by-case basis still qualify on the basis under which they were initially admitted.”
A review is currently underway and the NTWAB Board could be following up to check on your membership status. After the review is complete the NTWAB Board could recommend a change without your request. If you agree with the proposed change you’ll have 30 days to accept and the reclassification will take place immediately. If you do not agree you’ll have 30 days to respond in writing to the NTWAB Secretary. The NTWAB Board will meet to act on the recommended change. Any reclassification over the objection shall require a vote of at least 60 percent of the members of the NTWAB Board.
Triple Crown Media Access
With a little more than 10 weeks until the Kentucky Derby and I reached out to the communications teams for the Triple Crown host tracks this week to see if any plans were in the works for media access in 2021.
We navigated the Belmont, Derby and Preakness, and then the Breeders’ Cup, last year and will formulate a plan for the NTWAB if we’re still seeing restrictions at the host sites. Thankfully NYRA never closed completely to media – frontside or backside – in 2020 and we can hopefully work with them again for the Belmont Stakes and beyond. Updates to come as they roll in.
The tentative plan is for the Derby Week meeting to return to Churchill Downs – Wednesday, April 28 in the Media Center. Additional details to come on the Derby meeting, which will include elections for three of the six director positions (2-year terms).
That’s all for now. I hope 2021 is off to a safe and healthy start. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, ideas, suggestions or complaints. Take care.
Tom Law
NTWAB President
February 18, 2021
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 .
Earlier today, the board of directors of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters shared a letter with executive leadership at FanDuel and Flutter Entertainment expressing our concerns regarding the decision to phase out FanDuel TV.
NTWAB's spring meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 29, at 11 a.m. ET in the press conference area at Churchill Downs. Members attending in person are welcome to join us on-site, and a Zoom option will be available for those unable to travel. More.....
Click through the link to view NTWAB members 2025 Eclipse Awards votes
Cutting to the chase, and to the surprise of almost no one, the HORSE OF THE YEAR is SOVEREIGNTY. Other finalists were Forever Young and Journalism. Congratulations!
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters today announced the winners of the 2025 Media Eclipse Awards in six categories. Every entry must have been primarily published or aired for the first time between November 16, 2024, and November 14, 2025.
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB) today announced the finalists for the 2025 Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards, recognizing excellence through the past year in Thoroughbred racing.
The National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB), with matching financial support from The Jockey Club, has agreed to support a record nine internship applications at horse racing media outlets in 2026, by far the largest group funded since the program began in 2023.
It was great seeing so many of you at Del Mar for the 2025 Breeders’ Cup and during our annual NTWAB Awards Dinner and our general membership meeting during Breeders’ Cup week.
The National Turf Writers and Broadcasters with matching financial support from The Jockey Club, today announced a substantial expansion of its internship funding program for equine media outlets in 2026. Both organizations have authorized contributions of up to $12,000 each, co-funding potentially eight paid internships designed to bolster staffing in horse racing media and foster the next generation of equine journalists.
