by Rusty
Nash for HANA Harness
December 1, 2015 – The marathon we lovingly call the 2015
HANA Harness Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge has concluded with Sally Hinckley running away with the title, finishing 570 points ahead of her nearest competitor. We graciously thank the Bellino Stables, DRF
Harness, Green Acquisition Corporation, Hambletonian Society, Isle of Capri
Pompano Park, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, Northfield Park, Tioga
Downs, and Vernon Downs for being Gold Sponsors of this event.
This year’s Grand Circuit journey started on April 24th
at The Meadows and concluded Monday November 30th at Dover Downs. It was fitting that Wiggle It Jiggleit won
the finale in the same dominating way that Sally Hinckley dominated the HANA
tour! Once they were out of the gate and
settled down they both moved to the front and were never headed again.
The HANA Harness Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge was no
pushover of a race. The field consisted
of many of the top handicappers and movers and shakers in the harness racing
world. Sally’s credentials are very
strong as she is a well-known horsewoman from Maine. She is a member and the Secretary of the
Maine Harness Racing Promotional Board. Many of
you have seen her work without realizing it.
Sally out started as Lady Lewiston in the Lewiston Sun Journal. Sally has also been the regular line maker at
Scarborough Downs for quite some time. More
importantly, for our cause, are Armbro Brando and Stelerbraration. Both of these retired gladiators make their
forever home with Sally and her family.
Thank you Sally!
When contacted about her win Sally was very gracious and first
wanted to thank contest coordinator Allan Schott and the whole group of top North
American Handicappers who made the whole event so much fun.
When asked about her strategy in the new format she talked
about trying get a high win rate for the multiplier while also looking for a
good longshot or two each week. Sally
explained how it clicked for her. “While
stuck in the middle of pack, my choice of Annedrovette at 36-1 propelled me to
a top position. Then began a strategy of
defense. Trying to minimize other players gain by having many of the same
picks, but mostly I lived by the old adage that ‘the race isn't always to the
swiftest but that's the way to bet it.’ I also got on some great bandwagons,
for instance Divine Caroline. I was very
glad to find the wire because any of the other players could have a huge night
at any time!”
Regarding our cause, Sally went on to say, “All the rescue
groups are worthy and it is a special pleasure to bring the win home to the Maine
State Society for the Protection of Animals, Their efforts help the abused
and neglected horses who have been seized by the state to find safety and
comfort at their facility. Many thanks to the generous sponsors, Allan Schott
for his work and expertise in running this contest the past seven months and my
fellow handicappers who are now my friends.”
For winning the
handicapping challenge, Hinckley’s selected rescue, the Maine
State Society for the Protection of Animals, an organization dedicated to equine welfare, will receive
$2,950 for use towards their Standardbred program thanks to all our sponsors the
Bellino Stables, DRF Harness, Green
Acquisition Corporation, Hambletonian Society, Harness Racing Update, Isle of Capri at Pompano Park, Meadowlands
Racing and Entertainment, Northfield Park, Scioto Downs, Tioga Downs, and
Vernon Downs. In addition to this
donation, $500 will be donated to Canadian rescues by our Canadian partners,
Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park and Western Fair
Raceway. A $200 donation was made by an anonymous sponsor.
Second place
finisher, Dennis O’Hara, will see his rescue, Standardbred
Retirement Foundation
receive a donation of $1,575. Third
place finisher Anne Stepien will see her rescue, Heading
for Home earn approximately $675 for her efforts.
Standings as of November 30, 2015 - Leg 65 Final Standings
|
||||||
Pos
|
Handicapper
|
Total Points
Prior Week |
Points Earned
This Week |
Overall
Total Points |
Position
Last Week |
Points
Back |
1st
|
Sally Hinckley
|
5,048.60
|
12.70
|
5,061.30
|
1st
|
-
|
2nd
|
Dennis O'Hara
|
4,481.00
|
10.10
|
4,491.10
|
2nd
|
570.20
|
3rd
|
Anne Stepien
|
4,343.30
|
4.30
|
4,347.60
|
3rd
|
713.70
|
4th
|
Gordon Waterstone
|
4,238.70
|
10.10
|
4,248.80
|
4th
|
812.50
|
5th
|
Mark McKelvie
|
4,228.80
|
0.00
|
4,228.80
|
5th
|
832.50
|
6th
|
Josi Verlingieri
|
4,107.50
|
4.30
|
4,111.80
|
6th
|
949.50
|
7th
|
Rusty Nash
|
3,874.50
|
5.80
|
3,880.30
|
7th
|
1,181.00
|
8th
|
Derick Giwner
|
3,770.00
|
10.10
|
3,780.10
|
9th
|
1,281.20
|
9th
|
Bob Zanakis
|
3,753.10
|
0.00
|
3,753.10
|
8th
|
1,308.20
|
10th
|
Earl Paulson
|
3,658.20
|
8.40
|
3,666.60
|
10th
|
1,394.70
|
11th
|
Bryan Owen
|
3,553.20
|
0.00
|
3,553.20
|
11th
|
1,508.10
|
12th
|
Mark Dezii
|
3,408.90
|
3.00
|
3,411.90
|
12th
|
1,649.40
|
13th
|
Jay Hochstetler
|
3,390.40
|
0.00
|
3,390.40
|
13th
|
1,670.90
|
14th
|
Ray Garnett
|
3,214.90
|
5.80
|
3,220.70
|
14th
|
1,840.60
|
15th
|
Garnet Barnsdale
|
2,690.50
|
0.00
|
2,690.50
|
15th
|
2,370.80
|
16th
|
Michael Carter
|
2,676.90
|
3.00
|
2,679.90
|
16th
|
2,381.40
|
17th
|
Ray Cotolo
|
2,128.70
|
4.30
|
2,133.00
|
17th
|
2,928.30
|
18th
|
Brandon Valvo
|
1,936.00
|
4.30
|
1,940.30
|
18th
|
3,121.00
|
19th
|
Mark Deutsch
|
1,197.10
|
0.00
|
1,197.10
|
19th
|
3,864.20
|
HANA Harness
thanks all of our generous sponsors who allow this handicapping contest to be
an annual event since 2012. Plans are already
underway for next year’s competition.
Anyone connected with the Standardbred industry who may be interested in
sponsorship of next year’s event may contact allan@hanaweb.org for information.
