by Tim Bojarski, president, UNY-USHWA

Akron, NY — The Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association has announced that top reinsman Jack Flanigen will receive the 2010 Western New York Driver of the Year Award.

Jack Flanigen has been named Western New York Driver of the Year.

Flanigen started driving in 1984 and has been a fixture on the Batavia Downs-Buffalo Raceway circuit ever since. Some 26 years later, he is completing the best year of his career, scoring 295 wins (most of his career), $1.4 million in purse money (twice as much as any other year in his career), and a UDR of .332 (second highest of his career). His 2010 totals rank Flanigen tied for 24th for UDR ranking in North America among all drivers with 500 or more starts.

Besides being one of the most sought after catch drivers locally, Flanigen found himself in the majority of New York Sire Stakes legs at both Batavia and Buffalo all summer as many ship-in trainers found themselves using him whenever he was available.

Last year Flanigen was honored as the Comeback Driver of the Year, having bounced back from an accident that sidelined him for most of 2008. But the heights he hit this year far outshine his accomplishments of 2009 and once again put him atop the local driving colony in Western New York. His current lifetime totals show 3,497 wins and just under $9 million in winnings.

Flanigen will receive his award in the winner’s circle during UNY-USHWA’s “Night of Distinction” which will be held at Batavia Downs Casino on Saturday, Dec. 4.