At today’s Alibi Breakfast, which began in the early 1930s on the old clubhouse steps of Pimlico, several local and national award winners were honored.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance received the Special Award of Merit. This award is given to those who have made a positive impact on the racing industry. TAA has issued nearly $14 million in grants to accredited Thoroughbred aftercare organizations. “The TAA is honored to accept this award from the Maryland Jockey Club. We are proud of the work that TAA and our accredited organizations have accomplished in Maryland, the Mid-Atlantic Region, and across North America,” said TAA president Mike Meuser. He added, “The Thoroughbred industry in Marland has been a leader in aftercare and a big supporter of the TAA and of our accredited organizations from the early days of our organization.”

The Old Hilltop Award for an individual that covers Thoroughbred racing with excellence and distinction was given to writer/broadcaster Steve Byk this year. Byk is the host of “At the Races with Steve Byk” on SiriusXM. It is the country’s only national daily news and talk show devoted to Thoroughbred racing. “To join a roll call with legends of turf media like Jim McKay, Jack Whitaker, Joe Hirsch and Joe Kelly, as well as the many contemporaries I greatly appreciate and admire, it humbling,” Byk said.

Bob Ehalt earned the David F. Woods Award for excellence in journalism for his story “Baffert and the Triple Crown: Two out of Three Ain’t Bad? It’s Unprecedented.” The story appeared on thoroughbredracing.com on May 20, shortly after Baffert earned his second Triple Crown victory as a trainer. “I’m thankful to Pimlico and the Maryland Jockey Club for their continued support of this award that honors David F. Woods and recognizes the tremendous efforts of the journalists who cover this historic event.”

Steve Heuertz’s photo of Triple Crown winner Justify, all stretched out in full gallop, with no feet on the ground, as he nears the wire, earned Heuertz the Jeffry Frutkoff Preakness Photography Award. His photo appeared on The Horse Resource and in Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred magazine.

This photo of 2018 Preakness and Triple Crown winner Justify earned photographer Steve Heuertz the Jerry Fritkoff Preakness Photography Award.