The Maryland Million Ltd. Board of Directors plans to give this award annually in honor of Joe Kelly.
2023 Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Nominations Due October 1
2023 Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award Open For Nominations
2022 Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award to Fran Burns
Fran Burns has been selected as the winner of the Maryland Million 2022 Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award. Presented by the Board of Directors of Maryland Million Ltd, this award honors the memory of Joe Kelly and celebrates important characteristics that are valuable, but sometimes go overlooked.
2022 Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Nominations Due October 1
2022 Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award Open For Nominations
The Maryland Million Ltd. Board of Directors plans to give this award annually in honor of Joe Kelly.
2021 Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award to Brenda Herzog
Brenda Herzog has been selected to receive the Maryland Million 2021 Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award. Presented annually by the Board of Directors of the Maryland Million Ltd., this award honors the memory of Joe Kelly and celebrates important characteristics that are valuable but often unrewarded. It recognizes honesty, hard work and humility - qualities which serve to inspire others.
2021 Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award Open For Nominations

The Maryland Million Ltd. Board of Directors plans to give this award annually in honor of Joe Kelly. Joe was the first and only publicist for the Jim McKay Maryland Million Day racing program. As a close friend of founder Jim McKay, he was involved from the introduction of the concept in 1985 until his death in 2012. He was a mentor to writers, horsemen and fans alike, and loved our sport from his early days as a sports writer.
Your unsung hero candidate should embody characteristics that are valuable, but often go unrewarded. He or she should be honest, hardworking and humble. They should inspire and set a good example through their principles and actions. The unsung hero award recipient will receive a $1,000 honorarium and be recognized at the Sip & Win event and on Jim McKay Maryland Million Day at Laurel Park.