by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Freehold, NJ — Breeders Crown winners Ariana G, Hannelore Hanover and Manchego occupy the top-three positions in this week’s Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll, with fellow Crown champions What The Hill, Youaremycandygirl and Stay Hungry making moves into the Top 10.

Ariana G held on to her spot at No. 1, but Hannelore Hanover surged from fourth to second thanks to her victory in the Breeders Crown Open Trot. Ariana G received 14 first-place votes, which was the same number as a week ago, while Hannelore Hanover gained nine first-place votes for a total of 12.

Manchego dropped from second to third and lost two first-place votes from last week. She has six.

What The Hill received 141 points in this week’s voting, an increase of 111 points from last week, to land at No. 5 in the rankings. Youaremycandygirl joined the Top 10 at No. 9 while Stay Hungry was 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 23 – 10/31/2017

Also: Pure Country (25); Huntsville, Twister Bi (22); Lost In Time (19); Crazy Wow, Marion Marauder, Resolve (16); Beckhams Z Tam (12); Filibuster Hanover (11); Alarm Detector (9); Agent Q, Barn Bella, Rainbow Room (4); Caviart Ally, Fiftydallarbill, Mach It So, Phaetosive, You Know You Do (3); Keystone Velocity, Nike Franco N (2); Devious Man, Fourth Dimension (1).