Ariana G makes move in Poll

Freehold, NJ — Three-year-old female trotter Ariana G beat the boys in her elimination for Saturday’s $500,000 Earl Beal Jr. Memorial at Pocono and moved up two spots in this week’s harness racing Hambletonian Society/ Breeders Crown poll.

Fear The Dragon, who finished second in his elimination for Saturday’s $500,000 Max C. Hempt Memorial for 3-year-old male pacers at Pocono for his first loss of the season, remained No. 1 in the rankings. Lady Shadow, who was idle, held on to second while Hannelore Hanover (idle) and Downbytheseaside (a Hempt elim winner) rounded out the top five.

Mel Mara, who won his elimination for Saturday’s $500,000 Ben Franklin for older pacers at Pocono, joined the rankings at No. 10.

The Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll does not determine Horse of the Year. The U.S. Harness Writers Association votes in December 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 5 – 6/27/2017

Also: Keystone Velocity (26); Somewhere In LA (24); Dr J Hanover (19); Bit Of A Legend N (14); Mossdale Conner N (13); Barn Bella, Long Tom (10); Marion Marauder (9); Tequila Monday (7); Devious Man (5); Bettor’s Up (4); McWicked (3); Western Fame (2); All Bets Off, Charmed Life, Magic Presto, Missile J, Nirvana Seelster (1). 

North American statistics only.

by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications