by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Hightstown, NJ — Moni Maker Stakes winner Manchego solidified her hold on the No. 1 spot in this week’s Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll, adding seven first-place votes and 36 points to her totals from last week, while Little Brown Jug champion Courtly Choice made a big move from fifth to second in the rankings.

Courtly Choice received 14 first-place votes this week, an increase of 12, and saw his point total rise by 136.

Atlanta, who was idle, dropped from second to third while Shartin N remained fourth and McWicked, who finished second by a neck to Lazarus N in the Hoosier Park Pacing Derby, slid from third to fifth.

Caesars Trotting Classic winner Marion Marauder improved his position by two spots, up to sixth, and received the week’s remaining first-place vote.

There were no newcomers to the Top 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.

HambletonianSociety/Breeders Crown Standardbred Poll: Week 18 – 9/25/2018

Also:Lazarus N (30); Green Manalishi S, Hannelore Hanover (23); Stag Party (20);Ariana G (15); Phaetosive (12); Six Pack (10); Caviart Ally, Gimpanzee (9);Plunge Blue Chip, Woodside Charm (7); The Ice Dutchess (4); Captain Ahab, WillTake Charge, Wisdom Tree (3); Met’s Hall, Tall Drink Hanover (2); DorsoduroHanover, Only Take Cash, Youaremycandygirl (1).