As the curtain falls on another thrilling harness racing season, the battle for divisional supremacy is far from over. With the prestigious Breeders Crown and a slew of high-stakes races still to come, the race for year-end awards in several key sophomore divisions remains wide open.

Divisional Honors Up for Grabs in Tight Contests

3-Year-Old Colt Trot: Sig Sauer Surges Late to Claim Top Spot

The 3-year-old colt trot division has taken an unexpected turn in the final stretch of the season. While early-season phenom Karl seemed poised to run away with the divisional honors after his Hambletonian triumph, a late-season surge by Sig Sauer has shaken up the landscape. Sig Sauer has closed out the year in dominant fashion, reeling off back-to-back wins in the prestigious Kentucky Futurity and the Breeders Crown final. His 1:49.3 victory in the Kentucky Futurity marked the only time a sophomore trotter has cracked the 1:50 barrier this season, a testament to his raw power and speed. Sig Sauer's triumph over Karl in the Kentucky Futurity, coupled with his earlier victory in the Stanley Dancer, has solidified his case for the divisional title.While Karl's Hambletonian win and impressive early-season form were undeniable, his form dipped in the final months, with a neck defeat in the Kentucky Sire Stakes final and fifth-place finishes in the Kentucky Futurity and Breeders Crown elimination. Sig Sauer's ability to step up in the biggest moments, including his Earl Beal win at Pocono, has given him the edge in the divisional race.

3-Year-Old Colt Pace: Nijinsky and Captain Albano Locked in Tight Battle

The 3-year-old colt pace division has been a hotly contested affair, with two standout performers emerging as the frontrunners for divisional honors. Nijinsky and Captain Albano have both put together impressive resumes, making it a challenging task to separate the two.Nijinsky's North America Cup victory and his dominant Simcoe win at Woodbine Mohawk Park have been the highlights of his campaign. His runner-up finishes in the Meadowlands Pace and Breeders Crown have further solidified his status as a top-tier performer. Nijinsky's versatility, with 11 wins from 15 starts and three additional second-place finishes, has made a strong case for him to be crowned the division's champion.Captain Albano, on the other hand, has showcased his ability to excel on a variety of track surfaces. His wins in the prestigious Max Hempt, Adios, and Little Brown Jug, where he captured both heats, have demonstrated his adaptability and determination. While he came up short in the Breeders Crown final, his subsequent victory in the Matron at Dover has kept him firmly in the divisional conversation.The late-season surge of Mirage Hanover, with wins in the Tattersalls, Breeders Crown elimination, and Breeders Crown final, has added an intriguing wrinkle to the division. However, it appears that the battle for the top spot will ultimately come down to Nijinsky and Captain Albano, with both having a strong case for the divisional title.

3-Year-Old Filly Trot: Allegiant's Late-Season Charge Propels Her to the Top

The 3-year-old filly trot division has seen a dramatic shift in the final stretch of the season, with Allegiant emerging as the clear frontrunner. After a change in barns, Allegiant has found a new level of performance, winning her Breeders Crown elimination and final, as well as the Matron Stakes, all while defeating rival R Melina.R Melina's impressive victory in the Kentucky Filly Futurity, where she clocked a blistering 1:50.1, had initially positioned her as the division's leader. However, Allegiant's recent dominance, including a win in the Moni Maker at Scioto earlier in the season, has given her the edge in the divisional race.While R Melina's consistent performances, including a string of solid second-place finishes, have been commendable, Allegiant's late-season surge and her ability to defeat her rival on multiple occasions have made a strong case for her to be crowned the 3-year-old filly trot champion.

3-Year-Old Filly Pace: My Girl EJ Solidifies Her Claim to the Crown

In the 3-year-old filly pace division, My Girl EJ has emerged as the clear frontrunner. Her Breeders Crown victory, coupled with wins in her Breeders Crown elimination, Jugette elimination, and the Adioo Volo final, have cemented her status as the division's top performer.My Girl EJ's impressive 1:48.1 win in the Glen Garnsey further underscores her dominance, as she became the only filly pacer to break the 1:49 barrier this season. While a third-place finish in the Matron Stakes was a minor hiccup, her overall body of work, including her Breeders Crown triumph, should be more than enough to secure her first Dan Patch award as the division's champion.Honorable mentions can be given to Rocket Deo, who won her division of the Glen Garnsey and the Shady Daisy, as well as Direction, who closed out the year with a Matron Stakes victory. It's A Love Thing has also been a consistent performer for the second consecutive season.As the curtain falls on the 2022 harness racing season, the race for divisional honors in several key sophomore categories remains a thrilling and closely contested affair. With the Breeders Crown and other prestigious stakes races still to come, the final outcomes may not be decided until the very last stride.