Delaware Park will honor trainer J. Larry Jones for his accomplishments and dedication to racing with a special tribute at the Wilmington racetrack Saturday June 20.

Fans will have the opportunity to meet the nationally renowned trainer of champion Proud Spell, grade I winner Hard Spun  , and grade II winner Eight Belles at 11 a.m. in the track’s paddock and grove area. Later in the day, the fourth race (post time of 2:36 p.m.) has been named in his honor as the J. Larry Jones Tribute. A presentation of a trophy will occur immediately after the race in the winner's circle.

Jones, a Hopkinsville, Ky., native who is based at Delaware Park, became a licensed trainer in 1982. He first raced at Delaware Park in 2005 and won the Delaware Handicap (gr. II) with Island Sand. The following year, he relocated his entire operation to Delaware Park and finished sixth in the trainer standings for the 2006 meeting. In 2007, he finished sixth in the Delaware Park trainer standings and last year, he ended up second.
 
"It is a privilege for any racetrack to have a trainer of the stature of Mr. Larry Jones with his base of operation at their facility," said executive director of racing John Mooney. "Mr. Jones brings high caliber and quality horses to Delaware for several prominent owners and breeders such as Mr. Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farm, Vinery Stable, Brereton C. Jones, and many others, including his wife, Cindy. He has been very supportive of Delaware Park racing providing not only stakes caliber horses, but also competitive horses in all levels of our program. We wish him the very best and truly hope he will continue to race and train his horses even beyond this year especially at Delaware Park."