Sunday, March 20, 2016

Hochstetler Draws First Blood in 2016 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Contest


(March 20, 2016) - Jay Hochstetler kicked off the start of the 2016 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge sponsored by DRF Harness, Green Acquisition Corporation, The Hambletonian Society, Hoosier Park Racing and Casino, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, Northfield Park, The Raceway at Western Fair District, Red Shores Charlottetown Driving Park, Tioga Downs, and Vernon Downs aided by his selection of Mach It Par ($81.00) in Friday night’s Blue Chip Matchmaker Series opener.  After the first two evenings, Hochstetler has a total of 164.90 points, 86.20 points over his nearest rival.

With the addition of another Silver Sponsor, Dr. Adam Friedland, the total prize fund for the HANA Harness-sponsored event to be donated to the lucky standardbred rescues stands at an all-time record of $6,000.

A couple of handicappers are late additions to the contest, Joe Bengston and Adam Friedland will be representing Therapeutic Riding and Off-Track Rehabilitation (TROTR) and Helping Hearts Equine Rescue respectively.  A full list of the rescues and their handicappers may be found here.

On Friday evening, while Sally Hinckley and Dennis O’Hara earned points in all three divisions of the Matchmaker earning 26.60 points, their results were overshadowed by Hochstetler who 111.40 points, of which 107.80 points came from Mach It Par. 

Saturday evening there was a quintet of handicappers (Friedland – 48.80 points; Hochstetler – 53.50; Bryan Owen – 54.20; Matt Rose – 58.30; Gordon Waterstone – 46.95) who scored three winners in the George Morton Memorial Series opener.  While trailing in the number of winners, Mark Deutsch with 2 winners, earned points in all six divisions of the Levy totaling 50.93 points allowing him to keep pace with the top scorers for the evening.

After the first two nights, here are the complete standings.
Position
Handicapper
Total Points
Prior Week
Points Earned
This Week
Overall
Total Points
Points
Back
1st
Jay Hochstetler 
0.00
164.90
164.90
            -  
2nd
Matt Rose
0.00
78.70
78.70
       86.20
3rd
Adam Friedland
0.00
75.40
75.40
       89.50
4th
Bryan Owen
0.00
71.60
71.60
       93.30
5th
Gordon Waterstone
0.00
58.55
58.55
      106.35
6th
Ray Garnett
0.00
57.20
57.20
      107.70
7th
Rusty Nash
0.00
56.65
56.65
      108.25
8th
Mark Deutsch
0.00
54.53
54.53
      110.38
9th
Anne Stepien
0.00
54.23
54.23
      110.68
10th
Dennis O'Hara 
0.00
54.20
54.20
      110.70
11th
Sally Hinckley
0.00
44.80
44.80
      120.10
12th
Ray Cotolo
0.00
26.80
26.80
      138.10
13th
Russ Adams
0.00
21.60
21.60
      143.30
14th
Joe Bengston
0.00
17.70
17.70
      147.20
15th
Michael Carter 
0.00
15.30
15.30
      149.60


The 2016 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge continues with the second round of the Matchmaker and Levy Memorial series at Yonkers Raceway on Friday (3/25) and Saturday (3/26).  For further information regarding the contest, you may visit http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com