Monday, February 19, 2018

2018 HANA Harness Handicapping Challenge on Hiatus


After some serious contemplation, the decision has been made to cancel the 2018 HANA Harness Handicapping Challenge.  While the contest has been successful in raising more than $33,000 for standardbred rescues over the past six years, the time has come to put the contest on hiatus.

This decision does not come lightly.  The funds our sponsors pledge to standardbred rescues are sorely needed.  However, the lack of a contest this year should not dissuade donations to standardbred rescues.

We would like to thank Adam Friedland, Aqua Flow, LLC., DRF Harness, Eldorado Gaming/Scioto Downs, Green Acquisition Corporation, Hoosier Park, Northfield Park, and Red Shores Charlottetown & Summerside for having pledged funding for this year’s edition of the contest prior to the decision to cancel as well as our other sponsors.  Should you decide to donate to a standardbred rescue this year and are unsure of which one(s) to consider, you can always check the list of rescues we have included in the contest last year or contact your local horsemen group, Standardbred Canada, or the United States Trotting Association for suggestions.

Friday, December 1, 2017

Rusty Nash Winner of 2017 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge



With seven handicappers sharing the 100 points for selecting the race winner, there was no opportunity for Gordon Waterstone, Sally Hinckley or the others to move up and challenge Nash for the checkered flag.

By winning the Handicapping Challenge, Rusty Nash earned $3,225 for Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue in the United States and $925 for Greener Pastures – BC Standardbred Horse Adoption Society in Canada.  Second place finisher Gordon Waterstone earned $1,650 for Horse Lovers United (US) and $450 for Galahad Refuge (CA).  For finishing third, Sally Hinckley earned $825 for Helping Hearts Equine Rescue (US) and $225 for Morningstar Acres (CA).

HANA Harness would like to thank our Gold Sponsors Adam Friedland, DRF Harness, Green Acquisition Corporation, The Hambletonian Society, Hoosier Park Racing and Casino, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, Northfield Park, Ontario Harness Horse Association, Red Shores Charlottetown/Summerside, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, Wellbourne Farms, and WEG Entertainment; our Silver Sponsors Aquaflow LLC, Eldorado/Scioto Downs, The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, and the Raceway at Western Fair District for their contributions which make this contest possible.  With the $8,000 being distributed to standardbred horse rescues this cycle, the HANA Harness contest will have facilitated in the distribution of over $33,000 over the past six years.

FINAL STANDINGS (79 Legs)

Pos
Handicapper
Total Points Earned
Legs Won
Points Back
Last Week
Streak
1st
Rusty Nash
1,503.99
8

1st
8
2nd
Gordon Waterstone
1,467.29
11
36.70
2nd

3rd
Sally Hinckley
1,426.77
11
77.22
3rd

4th
Anne Stepien
1,386.11
10
117.88
5th

5th
Megan Maccario
1,381.90
9
122.09
4th

6th
Dennis O’Hara
1,356.14
11
147.85
7th

7th
Matt Rose
1,339.88
10
164.11
6th

8th
Steve Horoky
1,272.83
5
231.16
8th

9th
Russ Adams
1,218.54
8
285.45
9th

10th
Ray Garnett
1,121.90
7
382.09
10th

11th
Jay Hochstetler
1,063.50
5
440.49
12th

12th
Bryan Owen
1,051.90
9
452.09
11th

13th
Michael Carter
900.03
3
603.96
13th

14th
Terry Wilson
839.76
3
664.23
14th

15th
Ray Cotolo
834.33
5
669.66
15th

16th
Rich Mattei
644.30
2
859.69
16th



This contest is administered by HANA Harness, the harness racing division of HANA, the Horseplayers Association of North America.  Fans may follow the challenge by visiting the contest site at http;//hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com


Sunday, November 26, 2017

Hinckley Takes Week in Hambletonian Society Handicapping Contest

Final Leg to Decide All

(November 26, 2017) – In the penultimate leg of the 2017 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge on Saturday evening (11/25) at the Meadowlands, Sally Hinckley came out on top for the week to move into third place.  While still in the lead overall, Rusty Nash’s fifth place finish leaves the door open to the possibility of Gordon Waterstone grabbing the brass ring in seventy-ninth and final leg of the contest.

Hinckley took the weekly title easily with six winners out of eight races, including What The Hill ($12.80) in the TVG Final for open trotters who was victorious in a minor upset.  In a card comprising of the Final Four stakes and the TVG Finals, the only race where she didn’t cash in was the Goldsmith Maid; her selection in the Governor’s Cup finished second.  By the time all eight races were contested, Hinckley had a net profit of $35.30 for the evening.  Finishing second with a net profit of $.90 for the evening was Megan Maccario who had four winners for the evening which was good enough to keep her in the race for third place, the final cashing position next week.  Also with four winners on Saturday evening card was Jay Hochstetler whose net loss of $5.30 was good enough for the show position.

With only the Hap Hansen Progress Stake remaining the sole race to be contested in the contest, five handicappers remain in contention to earn a check for their respective rescues.  While the race for first place comes down to Nash and Waterstone, it is possible for Hinckley to land in second place, knocking Waterstone down to the show position in a worst-case situation (Nash can finish no worse than second place).  Should Hinckley have a bad week, Maccario and Anne Stepien remain in the race mathematically for the show position.
  
Standings thru Saturday, November 25, 2017 - Leg #78

Pos
Handicapper
Total Points Earned
Legs Won
Points Back
Last Week
Streak
1st
Rusty Nash
1,484.70
7

1st
7
2nd
Gordon Waterstone
1,448.00
11
36.70
2nd

3rd
Sally Hinckley
1,407.48
10
77.22
5th

4th
Megan Maccario
1,379.90
9
104.80
4th

5th
Anne Stepien
1,366.82
9
117.88
3rd

6th
Matt Rose
1,337.88
10
146.82
6th

7th
Dennis O’Hara
1,336.85
10
147.85
7th

8th
Steve Horoky
1,270.83
5
213.87
8th

9th
Russ Adams
1,218.54
8
266.16
9th

10th
Ray Garnett
1,102.61
6
382.09
10th

11th
Jay Hochstetler
1,061.50
5
423.20
12th

12th
Bryan Owen
1,049.90
9
434.80
11th

13th
Michael Carter
898.03
3
586.67
13th

14th
Ray Cotolo
834.33
5
650.37
14th

15th
Terry Wilson
820.47
5
664.23
15th

16th
Rich Mattei
644.30
2
840.40
16th



Next Up:  The final leg of the contest concludes with the Progress Stakes at Dover Downs on Thursday, November 30.   


The 2017 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge is sponsored by Adam Friedland, DRF Harness, Green Acquisition Corporation, The Hambletonian Society, Hoosier Park Racing and Casino, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, Northfield Park, Ontario Harness Horse Association, Red Shores Charlottetown/Summerside, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, Wellbourne Farms, and WEG Entertainment.  The contest is administered by HANA Harness, the harness racing division of HANA, the Horseplayers Association of North America.  Fans may follow the challenge by visiting the contest site at http;//hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com.