(July 3, 2016) – In an amazing
display of handicapping prowess, Jay Hochstetler has opened up an over 400-point
lead in 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. Hochstetler earned 405.15 points
for a grand total of 1,070.45. The
nearest competitor is Russ Adams with 661.33 points with Mark Deutsch taking
the show position with 632.55 points.
Hochstetler’s
incredible weekend started Friday evening, selecting the winner of 4 out of 6
races topped with Dominion Beach ($80.00) in the Tompkins-Geers for 3yo
trotting colts and geldings, earning him 172.03 of his 207.6 points for the
evening. Adam Friedland also tabbed 4
winners, alas minus Dominion Beach, earning 61.98 points.
Although lacking
price, Hochstetler made up for it with volume as he nailed down 6 of the 8
contest races on Saturday. Topping the
list was Earl Beal Memorial Jr. Consolation winner Milligan’s School ($21.80)
which gave the contest leader 81.9 of his 197.55 points for the evening. With the exception of the Beal Final and the
Cleveland Trotting Classic, he won all the consolations and finals, namely Call
Me Queen Be ($3.40), the aforementioned Milligan’s School, Luck Be Withyou
($6.60), Pure Country ($4.80), Racing Hill ($3.20), and Always B Miki ($5.20). Also with 6 winners on the card was Gordon
Waterstone, earning 94.35 points for his evening’s work.
Here are the
standings after this weekend’s racing action:
|
July 2, 2016 - Leg #27
|
||||||
|
Pos
|
Handicapper
|
Total Points
Prior Week |
Points Earned
This Week |
Overall
Total Points |
Position
Last Week |
Points
Back |
|
1st
|
Jay Hochstetler
|
665.30
|
405.15
|
1,070.45
|
1st
|
-
|
|
2nd
|
Russ Adams
|
599.63
|
61.70
|
661.33
|
2nd
|
409.13
|
|
3rd
|
Mark Deutsch
|
514.25
|
118.30
|
632.55
|
3rd
|
437.90
|
|
4th
|
Rusty Nash
|
507.03
|
110.65
|
617.68
|
4th
|
452.78
|
|
5th
|
Gordon Waterstone
|
467.98
|
132.20
|
600.18
|
7th
|
470.28
|
|
6th
|
Adam Friedland
|
466.90
|
108.93
|
575.83
|
8th
|
494.63
|
|
7th
|
Dennis O'Hara
|
500.05
|
72.50
|
572.55
|
5th
|
497.90
|
|
8th
|
Anne Stepien
|
474.23
|
65.48
|
539.70
|
6th
|
530.75
|
|
9th
|
Matt Rose
|
444.83
|
71.90
|
516.73
|
9th
|
553.73
|
|
10th
|
Ray Cotolo
|
411.18
|
69.70
|
480.88
|
10th
|
589.58
|
|
11th
|
Bryan Owen
|
401.10
|
77.45
|
478.55
|
11th
|
591.90
|
|
12th
|
Sally Hinckley
|
355.10
|
76.85
|
431.95
|
13th
|
638.50
|
|
13th
|
Ray Garnett
|
370.73
|
28.60
|
399.33
|
12th
|
671.13
|
|
14th
|
Michael Carter
|
326.58
|
60.75
|
387.33
|
15th
|
683.13
|
|
15th
|
Joe Bengston
|
336.30
|
20.00
|
356.30
|
14th
|
714.15
|
With more than half of the races
remaining, there is plenty of contest remaining so all positions including the top
spot remain up for grabs. This week’s
contest races will be contested on the 4th of the July with Tioga
Downs hosting the Tompkins-Geers for three-year-old pacers of both sexes and on
Saturday, July 9 at the Meadowlands where the Reynolds for 3yo Filly Trotters
will be contested along with the finals of the Graduate Series for 4yo open pacers
and trotters.
For further information regarding
the handicapping challenge, visit HANA Harness’ contest website http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com, where you will find the handicappers’ selections and
results, updated standings, as well a schedule of upcoming contest races.
