July 5, 2015 – Legs 16-18 are in the book for the 2015 HANA
Harness Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge presented by the Bellino Stables,
DRF Harness, Hambletonian Society, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment,
Northfield Park, Tioga Downs, and Vernon Downs, and it finds Bob Zanakis
remaining on top for the second week with a total of 797.1 points, 105.4 points
ahead of his nearest competitor. However, the handicapper of note this
week was Garnet Barnsdale who leaped from tenth to fifth over three of contest
dates, earning 168.1 points for the two week period.
Last week’s (June 26) leg of the TVG Trotting Series at the
Meadowlands was a challenge to the roster of handicappers as only one
handicapper was able to correctly select the winner, Obrigado. Perhaps it
was fitting Maine resident Sally Hinckley was the sole handicapper to pick the
Maine trotting sensation who has gone on to the big leagues. Hinckley’s
loyalty was rewarded, earning 18 points in the single event evening.
Friday (July 3) featured a trio of events, the inaugural Cleveland
Trotting Classic, the Graduate Pacing Final, and the Ms. Versatility. A
dead heat between Mark McKelvie and Bryan Owen was the result of each
handicapper correctly selecting Daylon Magician to win the Northfield event and
Doo Wop Hanover in the Graduate Final with their handicapping efforts arning
them a score of 75.1 for the evening, contributing to McKevlie’s 133.8 and
Owen’s 102.9 weekly total.
Saturday (July 4) featured a combination of eight stakes and
consolation races on Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs’ Sun Stakes card and it turns out
the magic number was three, the most winners any of the handicappers had
selected which seven contestants can lay claim to. One of the septet, Bob
Zanakis, scored 167.4 of his 186.2 points for the week, while Barnsdale earned
152.3 of his 165.3 weekly total with only two winners.
Zanakis correctly selected Badiou Hanover (Max Hempt Memorial consolation),
Habitat (Earl Beal Jr. Memorial consolation) , and Wiggle It Jiggleit (Max
Hempt Memorial final) while Barnsdale correctly selected longshot Bettor
Be Steppin (James M Lynch Memorial) in addition to Pinkman (Earl Beal Jr.
Memorial). Other handicappers who broke the century mark for the weekend
were Michael Carter (107.2), Gordon Waterstone (101.9), Josi Verlingieri
(110.6), Bryan Owen (102.9), Rusty Nash (101), and Mark McKelvie (133.8).
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Standings
as of July 4, 2015 - Leg 18
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Total Points
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Points Earned
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Overall
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Position
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Pos
|
Handicapper
|
Prior Week
|
This Week
|
Total Points
|
Last Week
|
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1st
|
Bob Zanakis
|
610.90
|
186.20
|
797.10
|
1st
|
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2nd
|
Michael Carter
|
584.50
|
107.20
|
691.70
|
3rd
|
|
3rd
|
Ray Garnett
|
597.20
|
26.20
|
623.40
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2nd
|
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4th
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Gordon Waterstone
|
463.00
|
101.90
|
564.90
|
5th
|
|
5th
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Garnet Barnsdale
|
386.40
|
165.30
|
551.70
|
10th
|
|
6th
|
Ann Stepien
|
449.20
|
74.80
|
524.00
|
6th
|
|
7th
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Josi Verlingieri
|
410.80
|
110.60
|
521.40
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8th
|
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8th
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Brandon Valvo
|
487.90
|
33.40
|
521.30
|
4th
|
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9th
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Derick Giwner
|
437.60
|
70.00
|
507.60
|
7th
|
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10th
|
Jay Hochstetler
|
396.70
|
72.50
|
469.20
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9th
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11th
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Earl Paulson
|
366.00
|
99.70
|
465.70
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11th
|
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12th
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Bryan Owen
|
362.40
|
102.90
|
465.30
|
12th
|
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13th
|
Mark Dezii
|
363.70
|
81.90
|
445.60
|
13th
|
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14th
|
Sally Hinckley
|
355.90
|
88.00
|
443.90
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14th
|
|
15th
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Rusty Nash
|
319.20
|
101.00
|
420.20
|
15th
|
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16th
|
Mark McKelvie
|
230.20
|
133.80
|
364.00
|
17th
|
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17th
|
Dennis O'Hara
|
315.20
|
41.50
|
356.70
|
16th
|
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18th
|
Ray Cotolo
|
160.60
|
83.70
|
244.30
|
19th
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|
19th
|
Mark Deutsch
|
167.20
|
15.90
|
183.10
|
18th
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This
week, Saturday night features three events at the Meadowlands; the $250,000
Graduate Final for trotters, the $65,000 (est.) Reynolds for three year old
colt and gelding trotters and the $60,000 (est.) Reynolds for three year old
filly trotters. For further information on the contest, you are
invited to visit the contest website at http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com.
