by Dean A. Hoffman

Later this year members of the U.S. Harness Writers Association will cast ballots to determine not only the Horse of the Year, but also the divisional champions in each age, gait, and sex categories.

Saturday night’s Breeders Crowns at Woodbine had their share of upsets and surprises. How did the Breeders Crown events affect the voting for year-end champions? Let’s take a look at each of the eight races on Saturday and see how the results might affect the balloting.

Two-Year-Old Male Trotter

Donato Hanover lived up to his billing as the best freshman trotter in North America in the Breeders Crown, winning his eighth race in nine starts this year. He’s banked $629,753, far more than any other freshman male trotter. His victory in the Breeders Crown, coupled with his earlier win in the Peter Haughton Memorial, assures him of being voted the Dan Patch Award as the best in his class.

Two-Year-Old Filly Trotter

Pampered Princess came into the Breeders Crown with nine effortless wins in nine starts and she was bet down to 1-2 odds. With Brian Sears taking the lines for the injured John Campbell, regular driver of the Andover Hall filly, Pampered Princess engaged second-choice Possess The Magic in a duel, but wound up 1-3/4 lengths behind at the wire.

That win boosted Possess The Magic’s seasonal earnings to $664,622 with nine wins in 13 tries while Pampered Princess has earned $599,910 with nine wins in 10 tries.

There are several stakes still on the calendar and that may decide this close division. The Goldsmith Maid at the Meadowlands is slated for Dec. 2 and Pampered Princess is eligible while Possess The Magic is not.

Two-Year-Old Male Pacer

This division is wide open and clearly up for grabs as Charley Barley scored in the Breeders Crown at odds of 6-1.

The leading moneywinner among freshman colt pacers currently is Yankee Skyscaper, who failed to reach the final of the Breeders Crown. Kenneth J and Artzina, the closest pursuers of Charley Barley in the Breeders Crown, rank next highest in this division and are certainly among the contenders.

Among the rich boys in this class, only Artzina and Yankee Skyscaper are eligible to the rich Governor’s Cup at the Meadowlands on Dec. 2.

There are several contenders but not standouts in this division, but Charley Barley has now tossed his hat into the ring.

Two-Year-Old Filly Pacer

Calgary Hanover scored a popular victory for trainer Don Swick and owner Royal Wire Products. She was one of three winning drives for Mike Lachance on Breeders Crown night.

The fattest bankrolls in this divisions are those belonging to Luck Of Michelle $615,091), Michelle’s Power ($425,432), a powerful pair of Camluck fillies. They have had superlative seasons, but neither one was entered in the Breeders Crown.

In addition to Calgary Hanover, the money leaders in this division also include Appleoosa Hanover and Isabella Blue Chip. The latter two fillies have a chance to pad their bank accounts in the Three Diamonds on Dec. 2 at the Meadowlands.

As with their male counterparts, this division is clearly undecided.

Three-Year-Old Male Trotters

It would be hard to deny honors to a horse that won the fastest Hambletonian ever and the second fastest Kentucky Futurity ever. That would be Glidemaster.

It would also be hard to deny honors to a horse that has beaten Glidemaster in big races this year. That would be Majestic Son.

Glidemaster is probably still the favorite to take honors in this division because he has earned $1,540,652 versus the $1,180,902 banked by Majestic Son. Glidemaster has a faster record and has traveled and won more high-profile races. He also has a chance to wrap up the Triple Crown for trotters by taking the Yonkers Trot later this year. He has seven wins and seven seconds in his 14 starts this season.

Still, Majestic Son has been Glidemaster in their three major tests: the Goodtimes, Canadian Trotting Classic, and Breeders Crown. The pride of Ontario was not eligible to some headline events and opted to stay home and race for the riches available in Ontario.

This is strictly a two-horse race for honors now with the result to be determined by future races.

Three-Year-Old Trotting Fillies

Passionate Glide could be excused for her one loss in a heat of the Kentucky Futurity for fillies. She was caught behind dull cover and had to rally from too far back in Queen Serene’s 1:52 world record.

Passionate Glide still seemed to be headed for Horse of the Year honors when she inexplicably faltered in the stretch of the Breeders Crown and finished third behind Susie’s Magic.

She is still a lock to win this division, but her chances at Horse of the Year might have been compromised slightly.

Three-Year-Old Pacing Males

Six weeks ago Artistic Fella stood at the top of harness racing and could look down on everyone below him. He had cruised to 10-straight wins at the Meadowlands, including the signature Meadowlands Pace, and was ranked number one in the polls.

The autumn has not been kind to Artistic Fella. He was defeated in a comeback effort at the Red Mile, then came did not start in the Tattersalls Pace. He went a game effort in his Breeders Crown elim, but faded to finish fifth. Then he drew the dreaded post 10 in the Breeders Crown Final and finished out of the money.

Total Truth, the leading moneywinner in this division, broke stride in the Breeders Crown and finished last. The Jug winner Mr Feelgood has not won a race since his heroic efforts in Delaware.

The bounce-back kid in this division is Shark Gesture, who was involved in a tragic accident and fell to the track in the Breeders Crown Elimination. He showed no adverse impact from the accident when he went gate-to-wire to win the Breeders Crown on Saturday night, easily.

There are still plenty of races in this division left on the calendar and there are several colts that could claim the Dan Patch Award. Artistic Fella and Total Truth are the leading contenders, but they need to get back in the headlines soon.

Three-Year-Old Pacing Fillies

This division has been dominated by My Little Dragon and Darlins Delight for two seasons and that continued in the Breeders Crown. Favored My Little Dragon attacked pacesetting Darlin’s Delight in the stretch and the two fillies drew away from their rivals with My Little Dragon getting the nod. Art’s Temptress, the third place finisher, was more than six lengths behind the winner.

These two fillies are the only logical contenders for a Dan Patch Award and My Little Dragon has the edge on her rival.