Hambo winner comes up big in Top Ten Poll

Hightstown, NJ — Hambletonian Day winners came up big in this week’s Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll.

Manchego, who became the first mare to win the John Cashman Memorial (formerly Nat Ray) since Moni Maker in 2000, remained No. 1 and saw four newcomers join her in the Top 10. Leading that group was Hambletonian champion Captain Corey, who climbed to second in the rankings.

Also making debuts in the Top 10 were Hambletonian Oaks winner Bella Bellini at seventh, Peter Haughton Memorial winner King Of The North at No. 9 and Jim Doherty Memorial winner Venerable at No. 10.

Atlanta, who captured the Dr. John R. Steele Memorial, jumped from seventh to fourth and Lady Liberty winner Lyons Sentinel moved from ninth to fifth.

Hot Mess Express, who did not race, stayed at No. 3.

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.

by Ken Weingartner, for the USTA