Apex Maintains Top Spot In Racing Poll
Hambletonian champion Apex maintained his kingpin status for the third consecutive week in the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll released on Wednesday, Aug. 26.
Brandon Blvd, who this past Saturday won the Grade 2 Max C. Hempt Memorial at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, vaulted from fourth to second in Week 11 of the poll while idle Apex remained No. 1.
Brandon Blvd, who held the poll’s top position for the three weeks prior to Apex taking the spot, garnered eight first-place votes after receiving none in Week 10. Apex saw his total of first-place votes decrease by three, to 19, while third-ranked On To Norway got six first-place nods (a loss of one) and fourth-ranked Miki And Minnie got two (a loss of three).
On To Norway won a leg of the Indiana Sire Stakes for older trotters last week as his spot in the rankings remained unchanged. Miki And Minnie, who has been sidelined by an injury expected to keep her out the rest of the season, was No. 2 in the poll a week ago.
Odds On Mr Mamba was the only other horse in last week’s Top 10 to race, finishing seventh in the Hempt. He was ranked ninth last week but dropped out of the Top 10 as his points total dipped below idle Loua Dipa’s in the battle for the final position.
The Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll, which will continue weekly on Wednesdays through the Grand Circuit season, does not determine year-end awards. 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.
Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Standardbred Poll: Week 11 – Aug. 26, 2026
| Rank | Name (First-Place Votes) | Age/Sex/Gait | Record | Earnings (USD) | Points | Previous |
| 1 | Apex (19) | 3ct | 5-4-1-0 | $739,716 | 329 | 1 |
| 2 | Brandon Blvd (8) | 3cp | 9-6-2-1 | $895,695 | 277 | 4 |
| 3 | On To Norway (6) | 4gt | 9-8-1-0 | $413,250 | 263 | 3 |
| 4 | Miki And Minnie (2) | 4mp | 8-6-0-2 | $372,099 | 287 | 2 |
| 5 | Big Ranger | 3ct | 8-5-1-0 | $402,337 | 167 | 5 |
| 6 | Super Chapter | 4ht | 5-3-2-0 | $330,257 | 155 | 6 |
| 7 | Nezuko Kamado S | 3ft | 6-5-1-0 | $503,905 | 141 | 7 |
| 8 | Bourbonista S | 5mt | 8-4-2-1 | $185,840 | 87 | 8 |
| 9 | Twin B Joe Fresh | 6mp | 7-3-2-0 | $240,858 | 58 | 10 |
| 10 | Loua Dipa | 3fp | 7-4-1-0 | $293,090 | 34 | -- |
ALSO: Odds On Mr Mamba 31; Al Papi 27; Nordic Catcher S, Shalom Hanover 19; Melillo 15; Starstruck Dreamer, Victorianas Secret 14; Lexus Kody, Wall Of Fame 11; Inexpressable 6; Sangria Summer 5; Walspea, Woodmere Rock It 3; Antognoni S, Donttruckwithme, Fifth And Five, Lifetime Dreamer 2; Best Chip 1.
(With files from USTA)