2018 HANA Harness Handicapping Challenge on Hiatus

After some serious contemplation, the decision has been made to cancel the 2018 HANA Harness Handicapping Challenge.  While the contest has been successful in raising more than $33,000 for standardbred rescues over the past six years, the time has come to put the contest on hiatus.

This decision does not come lightly.  The funds our sponsors pledge to standardbred rescues are sorely needed.  However, the lack of a contest this year should not dissuade donations to standardbred rescues.

We would like to thank Adam Friedland, Aqua Flow, LLC., DRF Harness, Eldorado Gaming/Scioto Downs, Green Acquisition Corporation, Hoosier Park, Northfield Park, and Red Shores Charlottetown & Summerside for having pledged funding for this year’s edition of the contest prior to the decision to cancel as well as our other sponsors.  Should you decide to donate to a standardbred rescue this year and are unsure of which one(s) to consider, you can always check the list of rescues we have included in the contest last year or contact your local horsemen group, Standardbred Canada, or the United States Trotting Association for suggestions.

Rusty Nash Winner of 2017 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge

(December 1, 2017) – With the victory of Downbytheseaside in Dover Down’s Hap Hansen Progress Stakes on November 30, Rusty Nash was crowned the winner of the 2017 Edition of the Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge.

With seven handicappers sharing the 100 points for selecting the race winner, there was no opportunity for Gordon Waterstone, Sally Hinckley or the others to move up and challenge Nash for the checkered flag.

By winning the Handicapping Challenge, Rusty Nash earned $3,225 for Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue in the United States and $925 for Greener Pastures – BC Standardbred Horse Adoption Society in Canada.  Second place finisher Gordon Waterstone earned $1,650 for Horse Lovers United (US) and $450 for Galahad Refuge (CA).  For finishing third, Sally Hinckley earned $825 for Helping Hearts Equine Rescue (US) and $225 for Morningstar Acres (CA).

HANA Harness would like to thank our Gold Sponsors 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; our Silver Sponsors Aquaflow LLC, Eldorado/Scioto Downs, The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, and the Raceway at Western Fair District for their contributions which make this contest possible.  With the $8,000 being distributed to standardbred horse rescues this cycle, the HANA Harness contest will have facilitated in the distribution of over $33,000 over the past six years.

FINAL STANDINGS (79 Legs)
Pos	Handicapper	Total Points Earned	Legs Won	Points Back	Last Week	Streak
1st	Rusty Nash	1,503.99	8		1st	8
2nd	Gordon Waterstone	1,467.29	11	36.70	2nd
3rd	Sally Hinckley	1,426.77	11	77.22	3rd
4th	Anne Stepien	1,386.11	10	117.88	5th
5th	Megan Maccario	1,381.90	9	122.09	4th
6th	Dennis O’Hara	1,356.14	11	147.85	7th
7th	Matt Rose	1,339.88	10	164.11	6th
8th	Steve Horoky	1,272.83	5	231.16	8th
9th	Russ Adams	1,218.54	8	285.45	9th
10th	Ray Garnett	1,121.90	7	382.09	10th
11th	Jay Hochstetler	1,063.50	5	440.49	12th
12th	Bryan Owen	1,051.90	9	452.09	11th
13th	Michael Carter	900.03	3	603.96	13th
14th	Terry Wilson	839.76	3	664.23	14th
15th	Ray Cotolo	834.33	5	669.66	15th
16th	Rich Mattei	644.30	2	859.69	16th

This 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. 

Hinckley Takes Week in Hambletonian Society Handicapping Contest

Final Leg to Decide All

(November 26, 2017) – In the penultimate leg of the 2017 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge on Saturday evening (11/25) at the Meadowlands, Sally Hinckley came out on top for the week to move into third place.  While still in the lead overall, Rusty Nash’s fifth place finish leaves the door open to the possibility of Gordon Waterstone grabbing the brass ring in seventy-ninth and final leg of the contest.

Hinckley took the weekly title easily with six winners out of eight races, including What The Hill ($12.80) in the TVG Final for open trotters who was victorious in a minor upset.  In a card comprising of the Final Four stakes and the TVG Finals, the only race where she didn’t cash in was the Goldsmith Maid; her selection in the Governor’s Cup finished second.  By the time all eight races were contested, Hinckley had a net profit of $35.30 for the evening.  Finishing second with a net profit of $.90 for the evening was Megan Maccario who had four winners for the evening which was good enough to keep her in the race for third place, the final cashing position next week.  Also with four winners on Saturday evening card was Jay Hochstetler whose net loss of $5.30 was good enough for the show position.

With only the Hap Hansen Progress Stake remaining the sole race to be contested in the contest, five handicappers remain in contention to earn a check for their respective rescues.  While the race for first place comes down to Nash and Waterstone, it is possible for Hinckley to land in second place, knocking Waterstone down to the show position in a worst-case situation (Nash can finish no worse than second place).  Should Hinckley have a bad week, Maccario and Anne Stepien remain in the race mathematically for the show position.

  

Standings thru Saturday, November 25, 2017 - Leg #78
Pos	Handicapper	Total Points Earned	Legs Won	Points Back	Last Week	Streak
1st	Rusty Nash	1,484.70	7		1st	7
2nd	Gordon Waterstone	1,448.00	11	36.70	2nd
3rd	Sally Hinckley	1,407.48	10	77.22	5th
4th	Megan Maccario	1,379.90	9	104.80	4th
5th	Anne Stepien	1,366.82	9	117.88	3rd
6th	Matt Rose	1,337.88	10	146.82	6th
7th	Dennis O’Hara	1,336.85	10	147.85	7th
8th	Steve Horoky	1,270.83	5	213.87	8th
9th	Russ Adams	1,218.54	8	266.16	9th
10th	Ray Garnett	1,102.61	6	382.09	10th
11th	Jay Hochstetler	1,061.50	5	423.20	12th
12th	Bryan Owen	1,049.90	9	434.80	11th
13th	Michael Carter	898.03	3	586.67	13th
14th	Ray Cotolo	834.33	5	650.37	14th
15th	Terry Wilson	820.47	5	664.23	15th
16th	Rich Mattei	644.30	2	840.40	16th

Next Up:  The final leg of the contest concludes with the Progress Stakes at Dover Downs on Thursday, November 30.   

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.