Bythemissal moves up to #4 in Top Ten Poll

Hightstown, NJ — Bulldog Hanover (Shadow Play), Joviality S (Chapter Seven), and Test Of Faith (Art Major) all posted wins last week, leaving the top three positions unchanged in the Week 18 Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll released Tuesday (Sep. 4).

Unanimous No. 1 Bulldog Hanover captured the Dayton Derby while Joviality S won a division of the Bluegrass Stakes and Test Of Faith won the Dayton Distaff Derby.

Ohio Sire Stakes champion Bythemissal (Downbytheseaside) moved up from sixth to fourth in the rankings as Bella Bellini (Bar Hopping), who was third in the Dayton Oaks, and Beach Glass (Somebeachsomewhere), who was fourth in a Bluegrass division, both dropped. Bella Bellini was ranked No. 5 this week while Beach Glass fell to No. 7.

Fashion Schooner (Walner), who was idle, went from seventh to sixth. Cool Papa Bell (Chapter Seven), Stockade Seelster (State Treasurer), and Sylvia Hanover (Always B Miki) also were idle and remained unchanged in positions eight through 10.

For the second consecutive week, no horse older than age 4 was in the Top 10. Prior to this year, the last time this occurred was in Week 20 of 2013.

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