Field and Rescues Announced for 2015 HANA Harness Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge

(March 13, 2015) - The field has been set, the races picked,  and the rescues selected for the 2015 HANA Harness Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge presented by the Hambletonian Society, DRF Harness, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, Northfield Park, Tioga Downs, and Vernon Downs, all sponsors who have renewed their support for standardbred rescue with their sponsorship (additional sponsors are anticipated).

 As for handicappers, one old friend and three new faces join the returning roster of handicappers.  Richard Scott returns to the contest after a one year hiatus.  Scott was the winner of the 2013 handicapping contest and looks to attempt to reclaim his title.   Scott is a former trainer who worked for the Bessinger, Silverman, and David Elliot stables in his career.  Making their debut to the contest this year are Michael Carter, the current track announcer at Buffalo Raceway; Mark Dezii, a racing fan who is a musician who hails from Philadelphia, PA; Bryan Owen. a former owner of horses such as Corleone Kosmo (BC Open Trot Winner 2008)and Luckycharm Hanover as well as an amateur handicapper.

The complete roster, last year’s placing, and selected rescues for the 2015 Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge is:

Garnet Barnsdale – Harness Racing Writer, WEG Handicapper for DRF Harness; (1^st); TROTR; Therapeutic Riding and Off-Track Rehabilitation)

Michael Carter – Track Announcer at Buffalo Raceway; (Did Not Compete); Central Virginia Horse Rescue

Ray Cotolo – Internet Harness Racing Analyst and Writer; (15^th); Sunshine Horse Rescue.

Mark Dezii – Race Fan and Musician; (DNC); Horse Lovers United

Ray Garnett –Handicapper; (14^th);  Rockin T Equine Rescue

Derick Giwner - Editor, DRF Harness; (8^th); New Vocations

Sally Hinckley – On-air Handicapping Personality; (12^th); Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals 

Brian McEvoy - Works for Harnesslink, (3^rd); Helping Hearts Equine Rescue

Mark McKelvie – Communications Coordinator for WEG; (2^nd); Horse Rescue United

Rusty Nash – Trackmaster Handicapper; (9^th); Rainhill Sanctuary.

Dennis O’Hara – Handicapper, Former Asst Race Secretary; (11^th); Standardbred Retirement Foundation

Bryan Owen – Former Owner, Handicapper ;(DNC); Standardbred Retirement Foundation

Earl Paulson – Handicapper, Yahoo Harness Racing Forum Director; (5^th); Racer Placers

Richard Scott – Handicapper/Former Trainer, (DNC; 1^st in 2013); Rainhill Sanctuary. [Update: Jay Hochstetler replaces Richard Scott]

Anne Stepien – Handicapper, Former Trainer; (13^th); Heading for Home

Brandon Valvo – Handicapper, Writer for Harness Racing America; (6^th); Horse Lovers United

Josi Verlingieri – Handicapper; (7^th); Heart of Phoenix

Gordon Waterstone – Associate Editor, Horseman and Fair World; (10^th); Changing Fates Equine Rescue

A new scoring system has been implemented for this year’s contest with handicappers focusing on the horse who will win the race, bringing a mix of quantity and value to the handicappers’ plans this year.  For those who wish details on how the scoring will be done, the rules page explains.  The competition begins on April 24 with the inaugural Meadows Futurity Trot and concludes on November 29 with the Progress Stake at Dover Downs.  Handicappers and fans may follow the contest by visiting the contest website at http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com. 

 HANA Harness is the Harness Racing division of Horseplayers Association of North America (HANA), a group which since 2008 represents over 3,000 horseplayers in dealings with the racing industry.  Since HANA Harness began sponsoring handicapping contests, over $10,000 has been donated to standardbred recues.  All horseplayers, regardless of breed are invited to join HANA for free.  For further information regarding HANA, please visit the HANA website at http://horseplayersassociation.org/.  

For further information on joining the current sponsors by becoming a sponsor at the Gold, Silver, or Bronze level, click here. 

Sponsorship Opportunities Remain for 2015 HANA Harness Handicapping Challenge

The handicappers are already getting ready for the 2015 Edition of HANA Harness' Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge, prepared to spend stakes season doing battle for the benefit of the standardbred rescue of their choice.  A new format for scoring this year will be used, making the handicapper's selections more meaningful for fans following the contest.

Already, the Hambletonian Society, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, Tioga Downs, and Vernon Downs have renewed their sponsorship for this year's event so the prize fund starts at $2,000.  Other sponsors are expected to re-enlist and hopefully new sponsors will join up this year.

Who would be a good candidate to become a sponsor?  Racetracks, horsemen associations, businesses connected to the standardbred industry, breeders, and individuals are encouraged to consider becoming sponsors.  It doesn't matter if you are American or Canadian, your sponsorship dollars remain in your country.  With three levels of sponsorship, there is a sponsorship level affordable for all.

For information regarding sponsorship, please e-mail allan@hanaweb.org.