Trainer Howard Belvoir has been named the 2010 winner of the Martin Durkan Award and will be honored in a special ceremony Saturday at Emerald Downs.

Racing secretary Bret Anderson and his staff annually present the Martin Durkan Award to a trainer who exhibits leadership, cooperation, sportsmanship and excellence on and off the track throughout the 90-day meeting. Belvoir, 66, has enjoyed another fine season while ranking first in starters with 406 and sixth in victories with 41. He was instrumental early in the season, often running over five horses a day to help fill races and programs at Emerald Downs.

“Bret (Anderson) said to me, ‘I know you don’t like awards, but you really earned this one,’ “ Belvoir said. “Actually, it’s a great honor. I’m humbled to win the award.”

Belvoir has finished in the top 10 all 15 years at Emerald Downs, and he recently became only the third trainer with 500 career wins at Emerald Downs. He trained two straight Horse of the Meetings—Assessment in 2009 and Wasserman in 2008—while also becoming the first trainer at Emerald Downs to win back-to-back Longacres Miles.

The 2010 Lindy Award—presented annually to a rider for accomplishment and sportsmanship throughout the season—will be announced Thursday. The Lindy Award is determined by a vote of the jockeys.

Presented each year to a trainer for leadership, cooperation, sportsmanship and excellence on and off the track, the Martn Durkan Award is named in honor of the late state senator, a longtime proponent and enthusiast for racing in Washington.