Who will be #1 in Top Ten Poll Tuesday?

The weekly Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Top 10 list, which is made up of the sum of weekly votes sent in from 35 harness racing writers, always seems to spark lively debate on social media. This past week was no different.

With this week’s list being published tomorrow (Aug. 22) at around noon, you’d have to think that sophomore colt pacing sensation Confederate will vault past standout pacing filly Sylvia Hanover based on the Sun Stakes performances. Confederate won the Max Hempt Memorial by open lengths under a death grip, while Sylvia Hanover suffered an unfortunate break in stride while pressuring leader (and eventual winner Twin B Joe Fresh) on the final turn.

That leaves both of these superstars with one loss, but Confederate’s came in a strong performance where he finished an onrushing 2nd, beaten a neck, in the North America Cup. Some argued on Twitter that race might have been his best effort this year. Count Gabe Prewitt, Vice President of Racing & Sports Wagering Operations at The Red Mile among that group.

“People get caught up on W/L’s without factoring what they are taking on, how they are doing it, etc.….   I still contend that Confederate’s most impressive race of season may have been lone defeat,” Prewitt posted.

Noted Sylvia Hanover fan “Jamie The Fonz Higgs” says it’s a bit early to call Confederate a super horse and referred to his perfect trip in the Hempt. “Not faulting it at all. Just too early to say super horse. Like you said, arguably his best mile was when he lost. 2nd and 3rd best battle it out giving him a perfect trip. The other 5 are average at best. Sylvia hasn’t had that luxury of a perfect trip.”

Certainly, both pacers have produced some otherworldly miles this year. The huge trips both went on Meadowlands Pace night come to mind. Confederate’s Pace win was a tour-de-force. How often do you see any horse, let alone a three-year-old colt, pace an uncovered 51 4/5 back 1/2 and drive away to win by open lengths racing against the best in his division?

Similarly, Sylvia Hanover went an incredible trip in the Mistletoe Shalee. She was floated out and ask to clear to the front and couldn’t (or wouldn’t) make the lead. It seemed apparent that she was going to back up and miss the board, so Yannick Gingras decided to circle her with the following Strong Poison. As soon as that rival cleared her, Sylvia Hanover’s interest was rekindled. She keenly followed Strong Poison and made front in midstretch, then held off an onrushing Twin B Joe Fresh to notch an incredible win in 1:48.4.

Last week’s voters stuck with Sylvia Hanover by a small majority, likely leaning on her undefeated record in comparison to Confederate, who had the one narrow loss:

Let’s not forget Richard Young’s outstanding sophomore pacing colt It’s My Show, the only horse to beat Confederate and is a new world record holder thanks to his 1:46 4/5 score in a Kentucky Sire Stake at The Red Mile last Monday. He is the third member of this troika that has only one 2023 loss and he has recorded the most wins (eight).

This week’s voting is underway and the Top 10 list will be published tomorrow. For my money – with absolutely no offence to the other two – Confederate stands out and he seems to be a generational horse. He might even have it in him to beat Bulldog Hanover’s 1:45 4/5 standard as the fastest mile in the sport. He has to be #1 this week. But remember, this is a weekly poll subject to change based on each horse’s performance as the season progresses.

One thing is for sure, the list will always spark some lively debate, and that’s not a bad thing, is it?

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink