by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Hightstown, NJ — Canadian Trotting Classic winner Crystal Fashion was the only newcomer to this week’s Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll Top 10, which for the first time in memory saw every horse in the Top 10 receive at least one first-place vote.

Crystal Fashion, whose victory in the Canadian Trotting Classic made him the richest harness racing horse in North America this season with $908,207, entered the Top 10 at No. 10 and received one first-place vote.

Manchego finished second by a neck to Phaetosive in the Elegantimage Stakes, but saw her point total remain steady and moved into the No. 1 spot formerly held by Atlanta, who finished third in the Elegantimage. Atlanta, whose first-place votes dropped from 21 to 11, was No. 1 for six consecutive weeks following her win in the Hambletonian.

None of the remaining horses in the Top 10 raced last week. Hannelore Hanover dropped from 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 17 – 9/18/2018

Also:Hannelore Hanover (87); Ariana G (31); Phaetosive (28); Green Manalishi S (24);Captain Ahab (14); Six Pack (12); Plunge Blue Chip (11); The Ice Dutchess (10);Jimmy Freight (9); Dorsoduro Hanover, Wisdom Tree (7); Caviart Ally, Lazarus N,Youaremycandygirl (4); Met’s Hall, Will Take Charge (3); Woodside Charm (2);Melodies Major, Only Take Cash (1).