The Week 7 results from the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Standardbred Poll have been released, and even though he has taken a brief rest from the spotlight, North America Cup and Hempt winner Fear The Dragon still sits atop the list.
Fear The Dragon, by Dragon Again, recorded another lucrative win on July 1 in the $500,000 Max C. Hempt Memorial at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. The three-year-old bay colt closed from off the speed for driver David Miller and trainer Brian Brown and notched a three-quarters of one-length win in 1:49.3, which led to a $250,000 payday.
The results from Week 7 of the poll appear below.
(Rank – Horse [first-place votes] – Total Points – Previous)
1 – Fear The Dragon (25) – 333 – 1
2 – Lady Shawdow (7) – 299 – 2
3 – Hannelore Hanover (1) – 222 – 3
4 – Huntsville (1) – 209 – 6
5 – Ariana G – 188 – 4
6 – Crazy Wow – 170 – 5
7 – Downbytheseaside – 112 – 7
8 – Keystone Velocity – 79 – 8
9 – Resolve – 64 – 9
10 – Marion Marauder – 50 – N/A
Also: Devious Man, Walner (44); Sintra (23); Agent Q, International Moni (17); Mel Mara (9); Somewhere In LA (8); Dr J Hanover (7); Tuonoblu Rex (6); All Bets Off (5); Highalator, Long Tom (4); Beckhams Z Tam, McWicked (3); Pure Country (2); Holy Trout, Mossdale Conner N, Musical Rhythm (1).
(Walner received one first-place vote.)
The Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll is voted on by harness racing media representatives that cover North American Standardbred racing.
The rankings are based on the votes of harness racing media representatives on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
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. The Dan Patch Awards are separate from the O'Brien Awards, which recognize Canada's top Standardbreds of a given racing season.