Sylvia Hanover became the fourth different horse to ascend to No. 1 in this year’s Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll, taking over the top spot from Its My Show in the Week 8 edition of the rankings released on Tuesday, Aug. 1 which also saw two newcomers join the Top 10.
A three-year-old female pacer, Sylvia Hanover improved to five-for-five this season with a win in a division of the Tompkins-Geers Stakes last weekend. Its My Show, who finished fourth in the Adios, dropped to third, one place behind idle Confederate.
Jiggy Jog S, who also was idle, remained fourth. She was followed by Cleopatra Invitational winner Grace Hill, who moved up to fifth in a swap of positions with idle Special Way.
Adios champ Cannibal joined the Top 10 at No. 8 while #SendItIn Invitational winner Charlie May moved in at ninth.
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 8 – Aug. 1, 2023
| Rank | Name (First Votes) | A/S/G | Record | Earnings (USD) | Points | Pvs |
| 1 | Sylvia Hanover (19) | 3fp | 5-5-0-0 | $276,830 | 330 | 3 |
| 2 | Confederate (11) | 3cp | 5-4-1-0 | $539,550 | 302 | 2 |
| 3 | Its My Show (4) | 3gp | 8-7-0-0 | $500,584 | 279 | 1 |
| 4 | Jiggy Jog S | 4mt | 5-4-1-0 | $336,002 | 231 | 4 |
| 5 | Grace Hill | 5mp | 8-6-2-0 | $295,087 | 152 | 6 |
| 6 | Special Way | 3ft | 3-3-0-0 | $150,000 | 108 | 5 |
| 7 | Its Academic | 6ht | 8-5-1-2 | $283,344 | 91 | 8 |
| 8 | Cannibal (1) | 3cp | 7-6-0-0 | $246,680 | 84 | — |
| 9 | Charlie May | 5gp | 7-2-4-1 | $336,140 | 67 | — |
| 10 | Ruthless Hanover | 6gp | 10-5-2-2 | $231,285 | 60 | 7 |
ALSO: Celebrity Bambino 37; Mikala 23; Newsroom 20; Up Your Deo 16; Bond 14; Ari Ferrari J 12; Silver Label 11; Mirage Hanover 10; Oh Well 8; Covered Bridge, M Ms Dream 7; Linedrive Hanover, Redwood Hanover, Yanks Dugout 6; Stonebridge Helios, Walner Payton 5; Jujubee, Sadie Hanover 4; Hellabalou, Lochinvar Art A 3; Bella Bellini, Fashion Schooner, Little Rocket Man, Venerate 2; Allegiant, Buzzsaw Russ, Idealsomemagic A, PL Ozzy, Point Of Perfect, So Much More 1.
(USTA)
What's so special about Special Way?
Special Way hasn't raced in 2 months, has only raced 3 times all year, and wasn't even entered into The Hambo Oaks. How could anyone consider her to be the 6th best standardbred in 2023???