Hannelore Hanover takes over top spot in Poll

Freehold, NJ — The Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll does not determine harness racing Horse of the Year but it might give an indication how difficult the choice will be for the members of the U.S. Harness Writers Association when they vote on year-end honors next month.

Hannelore Hanover moved into the No. 1 spot in this week’s rankings following her win in last weekend’s TVG Series championship for female trotters. She took over the top position from Ariana G, whose season ended with her Breeders Crown victory, although each horse received 14 first-place votes. The two female trotters were separated by five points in the voting.

Manchego was third in the poll followed by Hap Hansen Progress Pace elimination winner Downbytheseaside and elimination runner-up Fear The Dragon.

What The Hill, who beat older horses to win last weekend’s TVG Series championship for male trotters, was sixth in the rankings followed by Three Diamonds Stakes winner Youaremycandygirl, who moved up a notch past TVG female trot runner-up Emoticon Hanover.

Lost In Time, who won the Governor’s Cup, joined the ratings at No. 10.

The final Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll for 2017 will be released next week. 

Rankings based on the votes of harness racing media representatives on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.

Rank	Name (First Place Votes)	Age/Gait/Sex	Record	Earnings	Points	Pvs
1	Hannelore Hanover (14)	5tm	17-10-5-0	$1,049,129	319	2
2	Ariana G (14)	3tf	15-12-2-1	$1,123,690	314	1
3	Manchego (4)	2tf	12-12-0-0	$873,948	286	3
4	Downbytheseaside (1)	3pc	21-13-2-3	$1,448,422	216	4
5	Fear The Dragon (2)	3pc	17-12-3-0	$1,273,141	164	5
6	What The Hill	3tc	18-9-1-2	$948,178	154	6
7	Youaremycandygirl	2pf	11-9-0-0	$895,615	150	8
8	Emoticon Hanover	4tm	13-5-4-3	$429,416	66	7
9	Blazin Britches	3pf	15-11-2-0	$540,424	63	9
10	Lost In Time	2pc	9-5-2-0	$608,112	49	—

Pure Country (32); Agent Q (28); Fourth Dimension (26); Stay Hungry (15); Keystone Velocity (11); Twister Bi (9); Huntsville (8); Plunge Blue Chip (6); Devious Man (3); Crazy Wow (2); Alarm Detector, All Bets Off, Beckhams Z Tam, Filibuster Hanover (1).

by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications