Bulldog Hanover, Joviality S and Test Of Faith all posted wins last week, leaving the top three positions unchanged in the Week 18 Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll released Tuesday (Oct. 4).
Unanimous No. 1 Bulldog Hanover captured the Dayton Derby while Joviality S won a division of the Bluegrass Stakes and Test Of Faith won the Dayton Distaff Derby.
Ohio Sire Stakes champion Bythemissal moved up from sixth to fourth in the rankings as Bella Bellini, who was third in the Dayton Oaks, and Beach Glass, who was fourth in a Bluegrass division, both dropped. Bella Bellini was ranked No. 5 this week while Beach Glass fell to No. 7.
Fashion Schooner, who was idle, went from seventh to sixth. Cool Papa Bell, Stockade Seelster and Sylvia Hanover also were idle and remained unchanged in positions eight through 10.
For the second consecutive week, no horse older than age four was in the Top 10. Prior to this year, the last time this occurred was in Week 20 of 2013.
The Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll does not determine U.S. 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.
Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Standardbred Poll: Week 18 – Oct. 4, 2022
| Rank | Name (First Votes) | A/S/G | Record | Earnings (USD) | Points | Pvs |
| 1 | Bulldog Hanover (35) | 4hp | 13-12-0-0 | $1,149,331 | 350 | 1 |
| 2 | Joviality S | 3ft | 12-10-1-1 | $922,477 | 302 | 2 |
| 3 | Test Of Faith | 4mp | 15-9-5-0 | $666,592 | 260 | 3 |
| 4 | Bythemissal | 3gp | 13-11-2-0 | $980,525 | 220 | 6 |
| 5 | Bella Bellini | 4mt | 15-7-3-5 | $672,477 | 173 | 4 |
| 6 | Fashion Schooner | 3ft | 11-8-2-1 | $671,937 | 155 | 7 |
| 7 | Beach Glass | 3cp | 11-7-3-0 | $937,149 | 125 | 5 |
| 8 | Cool Papa Bell | 3gt | 11-6-1-2 | $796,225 | 69 | 8 |
| 9 | Stockade Seelster | 2cp | 8-7-0-1 | $559,068 | 56 | 9 |
| 10 | Sylvia Hanover | 2fp | 7-6-1-0 | $363,065 | 38 | 10 |
ALSO: Twin B Joe Fresh 33; I Did It Myway 22; Alrajah One IT 16; Oh Well 14; Niki Hill 12; Sea Silk, When Dovescry 9; Special Way 8; Allywag Hanover, Pebble Beach 7; Atlanta, Confederate, Jiggy Jog S 6; Tattoo Artist 5; Rebuff 4; Back Of The Neck, Charlie May, Righteous Resolve, Voukefalas 3; Treacherous Dragon 1.
(USTA)
Bulldog Hanover
This was at least the 3rd time that Bulldog Hanover received every 1st place vote in the weekly poll. Has any horse ever won HOTY unanimously, receiving every single vote for the reward?