by Tim Bojarski, for USHWA

Akron, NY — Before you leave for your evening of New Year’s Eve festivities, don’t forget to cast your votes for the best racing had to offer in 2010 as you see it, for the USHWA-USTA Railbird Recognition Awards.

The recipients of these awards will be decided through voting open to all fans of harness racing. The voters will be choosing one Horseperson of the Year (driver or trainer) and one Racing Moment of the Year (any racing or racing-related event that occurred in 2010) from any track in North America. The winners will be decided by popular vote from all respondents who cast a ballot through a link on the USHWA website or at the voting page available on the USTA website.

Make no mistake about it; there is still time to let your opinions be heard and it’s up to you to nominate and support your favorites. Plus remember, all voters will be automatically entered into a drawing for two free tickets to the 2011 USHWA Dan Patch Awards Dinner at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Sunday, February 27, 2011 and the honor of making the award presentations yourself!

A recent poll on the USTA website indicated that 82 percent of all respondents felt that the public should have the ability to cast a vote for year-end divisional honors like fans of other sports who can vote for their all-star teams. And their weekly online poll over the last month (asking who you thought should be the winner in each age, gait and sex category) has received over 8,000 responses. This is your chance to make your opinion count and select your favorite horseperson and racing moment to become part of the action yourself. So vote today!