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Awesom 2022 NEEDLES AWARD
John B. Penn
The 2022 NEEDLES AWARD was presented to John B. Penn, who as a breeder posted Floridabred earnings of $683,475 on the season. Penn was represented by 14 starters, who recorded 12 wins, 14 seconds and nine thirds.
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Penn, who owns Ocala-based Pennston Farm, bred undefeated multiple stakes winner Awesome Strong.
A 2020 chestnut colt by Awesome Slew out of Pleasant Ring, by Pleasant Tap, Awesome Strong became the 10th horse to sweep the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series’ colts and geldings division. He won the Dr. Fager, Affirmed and In Reality divisions of the Florida Sire Stakes by a combined margin of nine and a quarter lengths.
Campaigned by CSLR Racing Partners and trained by Jorge Delgado, Awesome Strong earned $458,000 on the season. He was named the 2022 Florida-bred champion 2-year-old colt/gelding.
The Needles Award was established by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association to honor small Thoroughbred operations and have made outstanding contributions to the Florida Thoroughbred industry.
The award is named after Needles, who was the first Florida-bred national champion (1955 champion 2-year-old colt) and the first Floridabred to win the Kentucky Derby (1956).
