by Tim Bojarski, for USHWA

Akron, NY — For the fourth 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 favorite racing moment and horse person of the year in the 2012 Railbird Recognition Awards. This is the opportunity for every fan to pick the best that harness racing had to offer during the past year.

Voting will be conducted at www.ustrotting.com on the homepage. The nominees for each award were compiled by members of USHWA for being the most impactful to the sport in 2012. Fans can make their selections by clicking one choice from those listed and then clicking submit to cast their vote.

Voting for the best “Racing Moment of the Year” will run from Saturday (Dec. 1) through Saturday (Dec. 15) at midnight, while the balloting for the “Horseperson of the Year” will be conducted from Sunday (Dec. 16) until Monday (Dec. 31) at midnight. Fans may only vote once per IP address.

The nine racing moments for 2012 are:

• Chapter Seven guns down Commander Crowe in Breeders Crown Open Trot
• Check Me Out setting four world records in 2012
• Dave Palone passing Herve Filion on the all-time wins chart
• Foiled Again becoming the richest pacer of all-time with $4,351,994 in earnings
• Googoo Gaagaa setting the all-age world trotting record of 1:50.4f
• Linda Toscano winning both the Hambletonian and Nat Ray
• Put On A Show becomes the fastest female pacer ever in 1:47.3
• Racing Under Saddle (RUS) competition held on Hambo Day
• Tim Tetrick winning four Breeders Crown races in one night

Nominees for Horse Person of the Year will be revealed in mid-December.

The winners will be announced on Thursday (Jan. 3) and they will be presented their awards during the Dan Patch Awards Banquet in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., on Sunday (March 3).

Anyone can attend the banquet and those interested should note that the host hotel for the weekend’s festivities (which this year includes the Racing Congress) is The Westin Beach Resort in Ft. Lauderdale. Rooms are now available for booking, either by phone or internet, and are at a special rate until they sell out. The hotel has extended this special rate beyond that weekend for those wishing to come in early or stay later. Click this link to make a reservation.