Rose, Garnett Win Legs of Hambletonian Society GC Handicapping Challenge

(March 26, 2017) –  Matt Rose swept Friday night’s (March 26) three legs of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series to take a solid lead early on in the 2017 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge by opening up a 50.5 point lead over Ray Garnett who managed to muscle into second place by 1 point over Rusty Nash by winning Saturday’s leg of the challenge by winning two of the four races.  Rose has now won two of the four legs contested thus far.     

Clearly, Rose is taking advantage of the early legs at Yonkers, his home track, by winning all three races on Friday’s slate including Empress Deo ($25), Mackenzie A ($4.60), and Bedroomconfessions ($2.90) which allowed him to net $41.70 for the evening.  However, even a home track can be cruel as Saturday night was a different story, resulting in him having to settle for a couple of show placings.

Garnett and Russ Adams both had two winners on Saturday evening, but the difference was Garnett’s tabbing of Keystone Velocity ($13.20) in the first division of the Levy which allowed him to eke out a net profit of $12.60.  Also selecting Keystone Velocity was Anne Stepien.

In the overall net-profit competition, Nash ($62.10) remains on top, leading Rose ($58.80) by $3.30. Ray Garnett moves into third this week with a net profit of $36.80 as Ray Cotolo fills out the top quartet with a net profit of $22.60.

The standings thus far after four legs are:

  

Pos	Handicapper	Total Points Earned	Legs Won
1st	Matt Rose	143.5	2
2nd	Ray Garnett	92.0	1
3rd	Rusty Nash	91.0	1
4th	Dennis O’Hara	50.0	0
5th	Russ Adams	50.0	0
6th	Ray Cotolo	46.0	0
7th	Gordon Waterstone	45.0	0
8th	Sally Hinckley	44.5	0
9th	Steve Horoky	44.5	0
10th	Anne Stepien	41.0	0
11th	Adam Friedland	37.5	0
12th	Bryan Owen	33.0	0
13th	Jay Hochstetler	28.0	0
14th	Michael Carter	23.0	0
15th	Megan Maccario	19.0	0
16th	Terry Wilson	18.0	0

Next Up:  The Challenge returns to Yonkers Raceway on Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1 for the third legs of the Matchmaker and Levy Memorial Series.  The Challenge remains at Yonkers Raceway until the conclusion of the two series on April 22.

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.  

Rose, Nash Sprint to Lead in 1st Leg of 2017 GC Handicapping Challenge

Prize Fund Now Stands at Record $8,000

(March 19, 2017) – The opening two legs of the 2017 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge are in the books with Matt Rose and Rusty Nash sprinting to the early lead, each winning a leg.  However, with more winners for the weekend, Rose takes a 76.5-67point lead over Nash as the total prize pool reaches a record $8,000 thanks to the added Gold Sponsorship of WEG Entertainment and the Silver Sponsorship of Aquaflow, LLC.     

While the Levy tends to be the home of favorites, several of handicappers were undeterred in going against the anticipated chalk and they were successful.  Hitting 2^nd division winner Long Live Rock ($38.60) were Ray Cotolo, Ray Garnett, and Nash.  Taking down 4^th division winner Soto ($14.00) were Cotolo, Adam Friedland, Jay Hochstetler, Steve Horoky, Nash, Bryan Owen, and Rose. 

In the near-miss category, Rose just missed a big price in the 3^rd division of the Matchmaker on Friday evening when Hidden Land was bested by Regil Elektra in a photo.  While denied the winning mutual, Rose picked up the place and show mutuels of $15 and $13 respectively, helping his net profit in the early going.  In the net-profit competition, Nash ($58.90) leads Cotolo ($42.40) and Rose ($35.40).   

Standings as of March 27, 2017 - Leg #4
Pos	Handicapper	Total Points Earned	Legs Won	Overall Net Profit
1st	Matt Rose	76.5	1	35.40
2nd	Rusty Nash	67.0	1	58.90
3rd	Ray Cotolo	37.0	0	42.40
4th	Steve Horoky	35.5	0	8.70
5th	Dennis O’Hara	35.5	0	(1.20)
6th	Adam Friedland	28.5	0	12.40
7th	Bryan Owen	24.0	0	2.20
8th	Ray Garnett	19.0	0	18.20
9th	Jay Hochstetler-	19.0	0	9.80
10th	Michael Carter	19.0	0	(4.80)
11th	Russ Adams	17.0	0	(14.00)
12th	Megan Maccario	15.0	0	(6.00)
13th	Sally Hinckley	9.0	0	(8.00)
14th	Anne Stepien	9.0	0	(19.40)
15th	Gordon Waterstone	9.0	0	(29.10)
16th	Terry Wilson	9.0	0	(34.40)

Next Up:  The Challenge returns to Yonkers Raceway on Friday, March 24 for the second leg of the Matchmaker series while Saturday (5/25) is the second leg of the Levy Memorial. 

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.  

Rescue Selections Made for 2017 Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge

New Handicappers and Canadian Rescues Added

(March 8, 2017) – With a little over a week to go before the first leg of the 2017 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge, this year’s handicappers have made their selections of rescues to represent, attempting to win needed funds for their deserving groups. 

With former participants ‘retiring’ from the handicapping challenge, three new handicappers join the fray.  Steve Horoky has been a fan for long time, getting actively involved by claiming his first horse at Hiawatha Park in Sarnia before concluding his active career in the sport as an owner/trainer at the old Windsor Raceway.  Megan Maccario was born into the industry as her family has been long time owners racing in New York and New Jersey.  Megan is currently the lead harness and New York thoroughbred racing correspondent for Pick Insider.   Lastly, Terry Wilson, a former owner of standardbreds for 30 years on the Ontario circuit is now pleased to be ‘just a fan’.  All three are hoping to make a big splash in their debuts.

With additional Canadian sponsorship, each handicapper has selected an American Standardbred rescue in addition to a Canadian adoption society to represent as Canadian sponsorship fees will now be distributed in the same manner as American funds; donations going to the rescues of the top three handicappers.  The Canadian adoption societies Galahad, Greener Acres, Morningstar Acres, Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, Performance Standardbreds, and Sadies Place span Canada from New Brunswick to British Columbia.  A new American rescue, Future for Standardbreds makes its debut this year, joining the returning American rescues.  Some rescues handle more than standardbreds; all donations are marked for Standardbred rescue use only.

The following is a list of handicappers along with their respective rescues.  Fans are encouraged to learn more about these rescues and to consider making a donation to one or more of them.

Handicapper	American Rescue	Canadian Rescue
Russ Adams	Changing Fates Equine Rescue	Performance Standardbreds
Michael Carter	New Vocations	Morningstar Acres
Ray Cotolo	Racer Placers	Galahad
Adam Friedland	Future for Standardbreds	Sadies Place
Ray Garnett	Rockin T Equine Rescue	Greener Pastures
Sally Hinckley	Helping Hearts Equine Rescue.	Morningstar Acres
Jay Hochstetler	Starting Gaits Standardbred Transition Program	Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society
Steve Horoky	Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals	Greener Acres
Megan Maccario	Rainhill Sanctuary.	Sadies Place
Rusty Nash	Heart of Phoenix	Greener Pastures
Dennis O'Hara	Sunshine Horse Rescue.	Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society
Bryan Owen	Standardbred Retirement Foundation	Galahad
Matt Rose	Heading for Home	Morningstar Acres
Anne Stepien	Central Virginia Horse Rescue	Performance Standardbreds
Gordon Waterstone	Horse Lovers United	Galahad
Terry Wilson	TROTR; Therapeutic Riding and Off-Track Rehabilitation)	Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society

Last Call for Sponsors:  Time is running out on becoming a sponsor.  Sponsorship opportunities levels are available for as low as $100.  Those still considering to become a sponsor are encouraged to do so quickly. Information about sponsorship may be found at http://tinyurl.com/hskso6k.

Next Up:  The 2017 challenge opens up on Friday, March 17 with the opening leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at Yonkers Raceway.  The action continues Saturday evening with the opening leg of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series at the Hilltop oval.

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, and Wellbourne Farms.  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. 

2017 Hambletonian GC Handicapping Challenge Adds Sponsors

Reaches Record Prize Fund of $7,500 to benefit Standardbred Rescue

(March 2, 2017) - HANA Harness is pleased welcome the latest tracks and horsemen associations which have joined The 2017 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, Ontario Harness Horse Association, Red Shores Charlottetown/Summerside, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, and Wellbourne Farms. 

The latest sponsors to sign-up at the Gold Sponsor level are the Ontario Harness Horse Association and Red Shores Charlottetown/Summerside (returning).  Joining as Silver Sponsors are Eldorado Gaming/Scioto Downs (returning), Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, and the Raceway at Western Fair District (returning).  With the addition of these sponsors, the prize pool for the handicapping contest has swelled to $7,500; 100% of which will be distributed to winning Standardbred rescues in Canada and the United States.

With the contest beginning on March 17, time is running out to become a sponsor.  HANA Harness and the current sponsors invitee other tracks, horsemen associations, and breeders to become a sponsor at the Gold, Silver, or Bronze levels.  For further information concerning sponsorship opportunities, contact allan@hanweb.com. 

HANA Harness Announces 2017 Hambletonian Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge

(February 21, 2017) - HANA Harness is pleased to announce the return of its handicapping challenge to benefit standardbred rescue for its sixth running.  The 2017 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, Tioga Downs, Wellbourne Farms, and Vernon Downs kicks off on Friday, March 17 with the first leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker series at Yonkers Raceway, concluding on November 30 with the Progress Stakes at Dover Downs.

Wellbourne Farms joins our roster of gold sponsors with this edition of the contest.  New to our handicapping roster are Steve Horoky, Megan Maccario, and Terry Wilson who will join the panel of handicappers in battling for handicapping supremacy and their share of the prize pool which now stands at $5,000.  Through the prior five iterations, approximately $25,000 has been awarded to deserving rescues.

The rules have been changed this year to emphasize a handicapper's overall performance on a daily basis with points being awarded based on their placing each contest day.  In addition to awarding prize funds to the rescues of the top three handicappers, a prize will be awarded to the rescue of the handicapper who has the highest net profit in the contest. Rescue assignments will be drawn prior to the contest kick-off.

Sponsorship opportunities remain at the Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels.  Racetracks, horsemen associations, and other businesses involved in harness racing are welcome to join the current sponsors in doing their part supporting standardbred rescue.  For further information concerning sponsorship opportunities, contact allan@hanweb.com.