(November 13, 2016) – Mark Deutsch is the top handicapper for the
week of November 6, besting Gordon Waterstone (58.65 vs. 54.95) 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 as the handicappers
took their shot at the Matron Stakes at Dover Downs and the TVG Finals at the
Meadowlands. With only three more
contest dates remaining on the slate, Jay Hochstetler continues on his victory
lap as he is the top overall handicapper in the competition, leading the rest
of the handicappers by over 617 points.
While the champion is a
foregone conclusion, there is still a race for second half honors and the $250
prize for the leader’s standardbred rescue as Matt Rose leads Hochstetler by
69.24 points.
Although Hochstetler will win
the championship, the race for second and third is still being contested as
those who finish in those positions earn prize funds for their rescues. At the present time, Rose has a comfortable
lead in the place spot while Sally Hinckley has a 130-point lead over the rest of
the field in third place. While it would
require an extraordinary effort coupled with Hinckley faltering, Gordon
Waterstone and Adam Friedland do remain in range of the third spot.
The
contest moves on to Woodbine Racetrack for the Final Four stakes for two year
olds (Governor’s Cup, Goldsmith Maid, Three Diamonds, Valley Victory) on Saturday,
November 19. Afterwards, the contest
returns stateside for the final two stakes of the season, the Courageous Lady
at Northfield Park (Nov. 26), and the Progress Stake at Dover Downs (Nov. 28).
Racing fans may continue getting
the handicappers’ selections and other contest-related information such as the
complete standings from HANA Harness’ contest website http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com.
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2nd Half and Overall Standings
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Position
|
Handicapper
|
Points This Week
|
Total Points
|
Points Back
|
Overall Position
|
Overall Points
|
Overall Points Back
|
|
1st
|
Matt Rose
|
14.50
|
1,860.68
|
0.00
|
2nd
|
2962.73
|
617.81
|
|
2nd
|
Jay Hochstetler (FHW)
|
28.58
|
1,791.43
|
69.24
|
1st
|
3580.53
|
0.00
|
|
3rd
|
Sally Hinckley
|
37.75
|
1,700.21
|
160.47
|
3rd
|
2870.08
|
710.45
|
|
4th
|
Gordon Waterstone
|
54.95
|
1,568.91
|
291.77
|
5th
|
2737.39
|
843.15
|
|
5th
|
Adam Friedland
|
44.58
|
1,462.58
|
398.10
|
6th
|
2708.73
|
871.81
|
|
6th
|
Dennis O'Hara
|
38.95
|
1,450.98
|
409.70
|
7th
|
2627.88
|
952.66
|
|
7th
|
Ray Garnett
|
39.35
|
1,448.83
|
411.85
|
12th
|
2237.60
|
1,342.93
|
|
8th
|
Rusty Nash
|
15.60
|
1,444.96
|
415.72
|
4th
|
2741.11
|
839.43
|
|
9th
|
Russ Adams
|
30.18
|
1,424.68
|
436.00
|
8th
|
2605.60
|
974.93
|
|
10th
|
Anne Stepien
|
37.20
|
1,417.73
|
442.95
|
10th
|
2354.23
|
1,226.31
|
|
11th
|
Mark Deutsch
|
58.65
|
1,289.43
|
571.25
|
11th
|
2267.63
|
1,312.91
|
|
12th
|
Michael Carter
|
4.20
|
1,262.73
|
597.95
|
9th
|
2355.28
|
1,225.26
|
|
13th
|
Bryan Owen
|
22.40
|
1,167.60
|
693.08
|
13th
|
2144.88
|
1,435.66
|
|
14th
|
Ray Cotolo
|
28.80
|
1,133.55
|
727.13
|
14th
|
1929.08
|
1,651.46
|
|
15th
|
Joe Bengston
|
51.80
|
804.18
|
1056.50
|
15th
|
1719.53
|
1,861.01
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