Karl closing in on Nijinsky in Top Ten Poll

The Week 3 edition of the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll released Tuesday found the top-two harness racing horses separated by one point — equaling the closest margin for No. 1 since 2020 — and a three-way tie among a trio of newcomers for 10th place.

Nijinsky remained No. 1 for the third week, but by the slimmest of margins over Karl. Nijinsky, who was idle, received 15 of 35 first-place votes and totaled 309 points. Karl, who won a division of the Reynolds Memorial last week, garnered 14 first-place votes and 308 points as he moved from third to second in the rankings.

The most recent occurrence of one point separating the top two came in Week 8 of 2020 when Ramona Hill was No. 1 over Tall Dark Stranger.

Twin B Joe Fresh, who won the Perfect Sting, added a first-place vote and eight points from a week ago, but dropped from second to third. She was followed by Six Pack winner Jiggy Jog S, who moved from sixth to fourth, and idle Its A Love Thing.

Four newcomers joined the Top 10, with Reynolds division winner T C I entering at No. 7, and Brower Memorial winner Abuckabett Hanover, Crawford Farms Open winner Southwind Tyrion, and idle Winner’s Bet deadlocked at No. 10.

Call Me Goo and Ruthless Hanover dropped from the Top 10.

The Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll, which will be released every Tuesday through the remainder of the Grand Circuit season, 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.

by Ken Weingartner, for the USTA