(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; (1st); TROTR; Therapeutic Riding and Off-Track
Rehabilitation)
Michael Carter – Track Announcer at Buffalo Raceway; (Did Not Compete); Central Virginia Horse Rescue
Sally Hinckley – On-air Handicapping Personality; (12th); Maine State Society for the Protection
of Animals
Richard Scott – Handicapper/Former Trainer, (DNC; 1st
in 2013); Rainhill
Sanctuary. [Update: Jay Hochstetler replaces Richard Scott]
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.