Although the Tioga Downs’ race season was cut three days short due to the devastating flooding in the local area, awards for Trotter of the Year, Pacer of the Year, Driver of the Year, and Trainer of the Year are still being issued.

Hometown favourite Aruba Vacation took home 2011 Trotter of the Year honours for owner-trainer Guy Howard, who is also the president of the STHHA. Aruba Vacation posted three wins, three second, and two thirds in eleven starts at Tioga in 2011, and also established a new track record for 4-year old trotting geldings (1:55.1). Fern Paquet Jr. teamed up for the Howard Stables on most occasions throughout 2011.

Taking home the honours for Pacer of the Year was Leanback Coco for owner-trainer Ken Anderson. The Cambest mare recorded six wins, two seconds, and three thirds in sixteen starts at Tioga. Phil Fluet was the main pilot behind Leanback Coco at Tioga in 2011.

Tioga Downs’ Driver of the Year went to newcomer Ed Hensley, who accrued 65 wins and a UDR of .299 in more than 400 starts. Ed Hensley competed as the Tioga’s representative in the Meadowlands–Tioga Downs Drivers’ Championship this year and finished in seventh place. Another newcomer to Tioga in 2011 also took home the trainer’s title, as Erv Miller posted 35 wins from 129 seasonal starts and put together a UTR of .393.

Trotter of the Year and Pacer of the Year will each receive a $500 bonus cheque from Tioga Downs and the STHHA, while Driver and Trainer of the Year will each receive $1,000.

The Southern Tier Harness Horsemen’s Association has donated $25,000, of which Jeff Gural, chairman of American Racing and Entertainment, will personally match dollar for dollar to aid in the relief of the local flood victims. Tioga Downs will also donate all of the proceeds from ticket sales to this Saturday's Sha Na Na concert to the flood relief in the local area.

“We appreciate the generosity of our horsemen’s association here at Tioga Downs and that of our chairman Jeff Gural during this trying time for our local area," said Jason M. Settlemoir, the track's VP of Racing and Simulcast. "We are working with the charities to ensure that all of these funds stay local and go directly to the families who desperately need them.”

(Tioga)