The top three on the 2018 Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Poll remain unchanged after Week 22 voting, as Atlanta remains on top, followed by McWicked and Shartin N.
The Rick Zeron-trained and Scott Zeron-driven Atlanta continues to rule the roost after her three quarters of one-length victory this past Saturday in her Breeders Crown elimination. The three-year-old daughter of Chapter Seven trotted to a wire-to-wire, 1:53.1 win and will start from Post 3 in her $600,000 final this coming Saturday (Oct. 27) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
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Atlanta, pictured capturing her Breeders Crown elimination on Oct. 20, 2018 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono
The Casie Coleman-trained and Brian Sears-driven McWicked has held his No. 2 position after Week 22 voting. The $3.6-million-earning son of McArdle last raced on October 13 in the $250,000 Dan Rooney Memorial Pace at Yonkers Raceway, which he captured by open lengths in 1:50.4.
Down Under sensation Shartin N continues to impress in her inaugural North American campaign, as the five-year-old Tintin In America mare has now won 17 of her 22 starts and over $878,000 in purses. Her most recent victory came this past Saturday in her Breeders Crown elimination, where she paced to a 1:52 victory from Post 8 for trainer Jim King Jr. and driver Tim Tetrick.
The results from Week 22 of the poll appear below.
(Rank – Horse [first-place votes] – Total Points – Previous Rank)
1. Atlanta (21) - 313 - 1
2. McWicked (8) - 298 - 2
3. Shartin N (3) - 262 - 3
4. Kissin In The Sand (2) - 203 - 5
5. Six Pack - 166 - 7
6. Courtly Choice - 164 - 4
7. Manchego - 144 - 6
8. Marion Marauder - 83 - 8
9. Woodside Charm - 42 - N/A
10. Crystal Fashion - 40 - 9
Also: Stay Hungry 33; Homicide Hunter 27; Gimpanzee 22; Plunge Blue Chip 20; Lather Up 19; Ariana G 17; Dorsoduro Hanover 12; Jimmy Freight 9; Tactical Landing, Tall Drink Hanover 7; Workin Ona Mystery 6; Ice Attraction, Lazarus N, Warrawee Ubeaut 5; Phaetosive, Youaremycandygirl 4; Mets Hall, Proof 2; American History, Emoticon Hanover, St Somewhere, Will Take Charge 1.
(Gimpanzee received one first-place vote)
The Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll is voted on by harness racing media representatives that cover North American Standardbred racing.
The rankings are based on the votes of harness racing media representatives on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
The Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll does not determine Horse of the Year. The U.S. Harness Writers Association votes in December on all Dan Patch Award division winners plus Trotter of the Year, Pacer of the Year and Horse of the Year. The Dan Patch Awards are separate from the O'Brien Awards, which recognize Canada's top Standardbreds of a given racing season.