Twin B Joe Fresh, who won the Lady Liberty last Saturday, maintained her position at No. 1 in the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll for Week 8, released on Tuesday, August 6. The rankings also saw two horses return to the Top 10 and two newcomers make their debut in the rankings this season.
The four-year-old female pacer, Twin B Joe Fresh, has secured six consecutive Grand Circuit victories this season. She earned 22 of 35 first-place votes, boosting her points from 318 in Week 7 to 330 this week.
Hambletonian winner Karl moved up to No. 2 from fourth place. The three-year-old male trotter received 10 first-place votes, up from one the previous week, and gained 62 additional points. Legendary Hanover, who set a stakes and track record with a 1:46.2 mile in the Cane Pace, held steady in third place, adding 25 points to his tally.
The top five was completed by John Cashman Memorial winner Jiggy Jog S and Nijinsky, who remained idle. Jiggy Jog S, who was ranked sixth last week, triumphed in the Cashman with a stakes and track record time of 1:49.2, joining Manchego and Moni Maker as the only mares to beat the boys in the event’s history.
Its A Love Thing, also idle, was ranked sixth, followed by Hambletonian runner-up Highland Kismet, Dr. John R. Steele Memorial winner M M’s Dream, Hambletonian Oaks champion Warrawee Michelle, and idle Papi Grad. Highland Kismet returned to the Top 10 after last appearing in Week 5, while Papi Grad re-entered after being ranked in Week 6.
Elista Hanover, Abuckabett Hanover, T C I, and Winners Bet dropped out of the Top 10.
The Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll is released every Tuesday throughout the Grand Circuit season. It does not determine U.S. Horse of the Year, a title decided by the U.S. Harness Writers Association, which votes on all Dan Patch Award division winners, including Trotter of the Year, Pacer of the Year, and Horse of the Year.
Rankings are based on votes from harness racing media representatives, assigned on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.