Little Change In Standardbred Poll
Shartin N maintains the top spot in week 12 of the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll but the last weekend's stakes action caused slight movement underneath.
Bettors Wish shot past Hambletonian runner-up Greenshoe and Hambletonian-winner Forbidden Trade to move up two spots in the poll. The move came after the Bettors Delight gelding snagged slow early fractions in the $400,000 Carl Milstein Memorial at Northfield Park and sprinted the final half in :53.3 to win in 1:50.3. Bettors Wish also leads all standardbreds this season in earnings with Shartin N second by about $80,000.
Lather Up narrowed on Shartin N's lead in the poll following a track-record performance in the $330,000 Dan Patch Stakes at Harrah's Hoosier Park on Friday, Aug. 9. The four-year-old son of Im Gorgeous, who recently had shares sold to Taylor Made Stallions, paced a 1:47.2 mile off two world-record performances over the last month at the Meadowlands. Two first-place votes shifted from Shartin N, who took the week off, for Lather Up following the win.
Captain Crunch overtook Atlanta for third following the champion mare's defeat in the $132,000 Joie De Vie Trot at Tioga Downs on Sunday, Aug. 10. Custom Cantab pulled a 31-1 upset in the Aged-Trotting-Mare event following first-turn interference caused by Darling Mearas S making a break.
Atlanta, slightly hampered by the incident, nonetheless took the lead while Manchego finished distanced as a result. Custom Cantab, stalking the speed the whole way, blew past the world-champion mare rounding the final turn and advanced to a 1:52.3 victory. Atlanta gave pursuit with a :30.2 final quarter to settle for sixth.
The Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll, which runs weekly through November, does not determine Horse of the Year. The members of the U.S. Harness Writers Association vote on all Dan Patch Award division winners plus Trotter of the Year, Pacer of the Year and Horse of the Year.
Rankings based on the votes of harness racing media representatives on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. Below is the poll:
Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Standardbred Poll: Week 12 – 8/13/2019
| Rank | Name (First Votes) | A/G/S | Record | Earnings | Points | Pvs |
| 1 | Shartin N (30) | 6pm | 13-12-0-0 | $742,927 | 345 | 1 |
| 2 | Lather Up (5) | 4ph | 11-8-0-1 | $677,448 | 318 | 2 |
| 3 | Captain Crunch | 3pc | 7-5-0-0 | $651,402 | 228 | 4 |
| 4 | Atlanta | 4tm | 8-6-1-0 | $439,650 | 191 | 3 |
| 5 | Bettors Wish | 3pc | 9-6-3-0 | $824,544 | 172 | 7 |
| 6 | Greenshoe | 3tc | 7-5-2-0 | $586,500 | 168 | 5 |
| 7 | Forbidden Trade | 3tc | 9-6-2-1 | $671,484 | 148 | 6 |
| 8 | When Dovescry | 3tf | 5-2-2-1 | $285,540 | 65 | 8 |
| 9 | Real Cool Sam | 2tg | 5-5-0-0 | $216,998 | 45 | 9 |
| 10 | Hypnotic AM | 2tf | 4-4-0-0 | $196,932 | 34 | 10 |
ALSO: Manchego, Tall Drink Hanover 25; Southwind Ozzi 24; Millies Possesion 23; Crystal Fashion, Gimpanzee 21; Best In Show 10; Green Manalishi S 9; Six Pack 8; Guardian Angel As 7; McWicked 5; JK First Lady, Western Fame 4; Double A Mint, Stonebridge Soul 3; Adriano Hanover, Capt Midnight, Caviart Ally, Courtly Choice, Hannelore Hanover, This Is The Plan, Workin Ona Mystery 2; Century Farroh, Hickfromfrenchlick, Rich And Miserable, Sister Sledge, Tall Dark Stranger 1.
(with files from USTA)