Tom Pedulla, who has reported on Thoroughbred racing for more than three decades for numerous publications, will receive the Old Hilltop Award at the Alibi Breakfast May 18 at Pimlico Race Course.

The award is in recognition of Pedulla's coverage of Thoroughbred racing with excellence and distinction for more than 30 years. He is a past president and member of National Turf Writers and Broadcasters.

Pedulla, who started his career keeping box scores at New York Yankees games for Associated Press, became the Yankees beat writer for Gannett in 1986. Pedulla has covered Thoroughbred racing for America’s Best Racing, Paulick Report, BloodHorse, Horse Racing Nation, the New York Times and USA Today.

The recipient of NTWAB's Walter Haight Award for career excellence in turf writing last year, Pedulla is also a two-time winner of the David F. Woods for best Preakness story, also presented at the Alibi Breakfast.

Pedulla has covered 25 of the last 27 Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup events, 17 Super Bowls, six Olympics and 11 World Series.

"It is a great honor to receive the Old Hilltop Award from the Maryland Jockey Club," Pedulla said. "At this time, I cannot help but to think of my father, Louis, an English teacher who brought me The New York Times sports section each day from grammar school through college so I could study the writing style of columnist Red Smith and other greats. I am indebted as well to outlets such as America's Best Racing, BloodHorse, Paulick Report, Horse Racing Nation, The New York Times and others for allowing me to continue to write.”

The legendary Alibi Breakfast began in the 1930s on the porch of the old Pimlico Clubhouse and features a gathering of media, owners, trainers, jockeys, horsemen and fans to celebrate the Preakness while gaining interesting and humorous race predictions.

Tickets for the Alibi Breakfast can be purchased at: https://am.ticketmaster.com/marylandjockeyclub/ALIBI

--Edited Maryland Jockey Club release with additional content by Dick Downey