Railbird Recognition Voting Starts Today

Published: December 1, 2011 10:26 am EST

For the third consecutive year, the United States Harness Writers Association, in conjunction with the United States Trotting Association, will be looking for fans of harness racing to express their opinions by voting for their favourite racing moment and horseperson of the year in the 2011 Railbird Recognition Awards

. This is the opportunity for every fan to pick the best that harness racing had to offer during the past year.

In order to make it easier and more convenient for everyone to participate, the format has changed for 2011. Voting will be conducted at ustrotting.com on the homepage where the usual poll feature is located. The nominees for each award were compiled by members of USHWA for being the most impactful to the sport in 2011. Fans can make their selections by clicking one choice from the 10 listed and then clicking 'submit' to cast their vote.

Voting for the best 'racing moment' will run from Thursday, December 1 through Thursday, December 16, while the balloting for the 'Horseperson of the Year' will be conducted from Friday, December 16 until Saturday, December 31, 2011. Fans may only vote once per day.

The six racing moments to vote for are:

  • San Pail winning the Breeders Crown
  • Local hero Big Bad John winning the Little Brown Jug
  • George Brennan winning the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks
  • Roll With Joe winning the Meadowland Pace
  • See You At Peelers beating the boys in the Art Rooney Pace
  • Jody Jamieson winning the World Driving Championship

The winners will be announced on Wednesday, January 4 and they will be presented their awards during the Dan Patch Awards banquet in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, February 12, 2012.

The 2012 Dan Patch Awards will not only honour all the leading horsemen, horsewomen, and equine stars of the 2011 season, but will also pay tribute to the peerless career of the great Stanley F. Bergstein, the only person in the harness racing industry who is a member of both the Hall of Fame and its Communicators Corner.

(With files from USHWA)

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