Holly Robinson was honored with the inaugural Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award. “I’ve never been so shocked in my whole life,” said the 62-year-old Maryland trainer.

The nomination letter from Rosie Napravnik said it best: “I have never known a person to be so generous, caring, supporting, and loving just because it is a good thing to do. And she does it all with a sense of humor and humility. If she can help, she does. There never seems to be a concern of her convenience. She selflessly does any and everything she can for somebody in need. Holly never, ever asks or wants to be credited for any of her efforts. She enjoys the reward of success stories and happy endings.”

• Maryland-bred star Ben’s Cat recorded his 19th stakes win when he captured the $250,000 Fabulous Strike Handicap at Penn National. King T. Leatherbury’s homebred son of former Maryland stallion Parker’s Storm Cat won the inaugural running the year before. It was the final start of his 7-year-old campaign. He was on the board in all eight starts in 2013.
  
  Ben’s Cat returned in 2014 to add a third Fabulous Strike victory.
  
  
• Toni Kirwan was becoming well known for her creativity in naming her horses, including a few doozies. Many paid homage to her broodmare Blitzen’s Echo: Blitzensbuzzwiserr (by Buzzards Bay), Blitzenshoneybare (Gators N Bears), Blitzensdiscogetem (Disco Rico), Blitzenstekkldpink (Tekken-Ire) and Blitzensmajikreign (StreetMagician). A new source of inspiration was the broodmare Extra Sexy Psychic, whose first foal, 2-year-old Extrasexyhippzster, won a $63,720 maiden special weight at Parx.
  
  
• The University of Maryland sold the first two horses born at the College Park campus in 30 years at the Fasig-Tipton December mixed sale. Weanlings Amazin Terp and Diamondback Fire were foaled and raised largely by students in the equine studies classes, spearheaded by equine science and management professor, Dr. Amy Burk. Consignor Bill Reightler waived the commissions and fees to help the program and noted, “The horses were prepared wonderfully . . . they did a good job getting the horses ready.”