Walter Haight Award goes to DRF's Matt Hegarty

Daily Racing Form writer Matt Hegarty was among four honorees Thursday night at the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association annual awards dinner at The Brigantine restaurant in Del Mar.

Hegarty, who writes about industry topics ranging from medication regulation to business issues to politics, was presented with the Walter Haight Award for excellence in turf writing. He has been employed by the Form for 20 years after previously working for Thoroughbred Times.

Other award recipients were Randy Moss of NBC Sports, the Jim McKay Award for career excellence in broadcasting; owner Rick Porter, the Mr. Fitz Award for typifying the spirit of racing; and the Winners Foundation, the Joe Palmer Award for long and meritorious service to the sport.