Hambletonian Maturity winner Gimpanzee remains in the No. 1 position on the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll, but Meadowlands Pace champion Tall Dark Stranger has moved within single digits of the season’s early leader.
Gimpanzee, the undefeated four-year-old, picked up six first-place votes compared to last week, giving him 24, and increased his points by 17 to 327.
Gimpanzee, pictured victorious in the 2020 Hambletonian Maturity.
Tall Dark Stranger got 10 first-place votes this week and added 80 points to his total from Week 1, and has thus taken over the No. 2 position in the rankings. He was followed by Miss Versatility Series third-round winner Manchego, idle Atlanta, and W.R. Haughton Memorial winner Dancin Lou, who was unranked last week.
Tall Dark Stranger, pictured after his victory in the 2020 Meadowlands Pace.
Other newcomers in the top 10 were Del Miller Memorial winner Ramona Hill at No. 7, Stanley Dancer Memorial division winner Back Of The Neck at No. 9, and Meadowlands Pace runner-up Papi Rob Hanover at No. 10.
The Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll 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.
Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Standardbred Poll: Week 2 – 7/21/2020
| Rank | Name (First Votes) | A/G/S | Record | Earnings | Points | Pvs |
| 1 | Gimpanzee (24) | 4th | 4-4-0-0 | $401,200 | 327 | 1 |
| 2 | Tall Dark Stranger (10) | 3pc | 3-3-0-0 | $336,785 | 318 | 3 |
| 3 | Manchego | 5tm | 4-3-1-0 | $93,975 | 245 | 4 |
| 4 | Atlanta (1) | 5tm | 3-2-1-0 | $115,450 | 241 | 2 |
| 5 | Dancin Lou | 4ph | 5-3-0-2 | $254,661 | 128 | — |
| 6 | Hurrikane Emperor | 4ph | 4-3-0-1 | $158,750 | 121 | 5 |
| 7 | Ramona Hill | 3tf | 2-1-0-1 | $126,465 | 111 | — |
| 8 | Shartin N | 7pm | 3-2-1-0 | $83,416 | 88 | 7 |
| 9 | Back Of The Neck | 3tc | 3-2-1-0 | $96,145 | 75 | — |
| 10 | Papi Rob Hanover | 3pc | 3-0-2-1 | $160,705 | 67 | — |
ALSO: Ready For Moni 26; Reflect With Me 22; Hypnotic AM 21; Bet On Becky 19; Backstreet Shadow, Captain Corey 13; Tattoo Artist 12; Kissin In The Sand 11; Allywag Hanover 9; Action Uncle, Yanks Dugout 6; American Courage, Charlie May, Elver Hanover 5; Party Girl Hill, Splash Brother, Workin Ona Mystery 4; Bllack Hole, Our Majordan A, Sorella, Winella Hanover 3; Indictable Hanover, Southwind Amazon 2; Major Occasion A, Odds On Sarasota, Plunge Blue Chip 1.
(USTA)
How long has it been since
How long has it been since the last poll in which Bettors Wish and Caviart Ally both failed to receive a single vote???