John Franks was the backbone of the breeding and racing industry in Louisiana for years and next month Louisiana Downs will honor the late Eclipse Award winner as part of its new Racing Hall of Fame announced Friday.

The inaugural class determined by committee also will include Sunday Silence and Free Spirits Joy, trainers Frank L. Brothers and C.W. Walker, jockeys Ron Ardoin and Larry Snyder, and original track owner Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr.

Louisiana Downs also is asking the public to vote online for additional individuals to be included in the inaugural class. The induction ceremony will be July 13 at the track. The voting will open June 15 and run through June 29. The link is: http://shout.It/bQZNV.

Voters will be able to choose one name from each of the following categories: 

Horses: Alysheba, Happy Ticket, Shishkabob, Tiznow

Trainer: Bobby Barnett, Cole Norman, Jack Van Berg

Jockey: Calvin Borel, Randy Romero, Angelo Trosclair

Contributor: Pat Pope, Tom Sweeney, David Vance

More to come at www.drf.com