The cupola where the Preakness trophy presentation takes place each year is a replica of the cupola that sat atop the old Members Clubhouse where the Alibi Breakfast first began. Maryland Jockey Club Photo
To be Honored May 18 at Alibi Breakfast
David Joseph/Maryland Jockey Club
BALTIMORE, Md. – 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 Thursday, May 18 at Pimlico Race Course.
Pedulla will be recognized for covering Thoroughbred racing with excellence and distinction for more than 30 years.
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.
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. He received the Walter Haight Award for career excellence in turf writing last year and is a two-time winner of the David F. Woods for best Preakness story.
Pedulla has covered 25 of the last 27 Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup events, and 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. 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,” Pedulla said. “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.”
Tickets for the Alibi Breakfast can be purchased at: https://am.ticketmaster.com/marylandjockeyclub/ALIBI
