Always B Miki takes over top spot in Poll
by Ken Weingartner
Always B Miki, Mark Hall photo.
Five-year-old male pacer Always B Miki ended Wiggle It Jiggleit’s 12-week hold on the No. 1 spot in the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll thanks to his three-quarter length victory over his rival in last weekend’s Breeders Crown Open Pace. Always B Miki previously led the poll for weeks seven through 12.
Wiggle It Jiggleit dropped to No. 2.
Hannelore Hanover moved from sixth to third in the rankings after her victory in the Breeders Crown Mare Trot. Also getting a boost from Breeders Crown triumphs were 2-year-old filly trot champion Ariana G, 3-year-old male pace winner Racing Hill, and 2-year-old male trot victor Walner, who joined the Top 10 at No. 9.
The Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll does not determine Horse of the Year. The U.S. Harness Writers Association votes in December on all 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.
Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Standardbred Poll: Week 24 – 11/1/2016
| Rank | Name (First Place Votes) | A/G/S | Record | Earnings | Points | Pvs |
| 1 | Always B Miki (25) | 5ph | 17-11-5-0 | $1,291,292 | 338 | 2 |
| 2 | Wiggle It Jiggleit (10) | 4pg | 24-15-7-2 | $1,719,062 | 312 | 1 |
| 3 | Hannelore Hanover | 4tm | 19-16-2-0 | $1,021,111 | 245 | 6 |
| 4 | Betting Line | 3pc | 15-14-1-0 | $1,467,386 | 199 | 4 |
| 5 | Marion Marauder | 3tc | 15-10-3-0 | $1,484,532 | 167 | 3 |
| 6 | Ariana G | 2tf | 11-9-1-0 | $743,967 | 117 | 8 |
| 7 | Racing Hill | 3pc | 15-7-5-2 | $1,581,550 | 111 | 9 |
| 8 | Resolve | 5th | 12-5-4-1 | $1,310,513 | 108 | 5 |
| 9 | Walner | 2tc | 7-6-0-0 | $388,750 | 82 | — |
| 10 | Lady Shadow | 5pm | 19-11-2-1 | $755,981 | 80 | 10 |
