Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Competition Heating Up in HANA Harness’ Grand Circuit Challenge

 May 26, 2015 -  Nine legs into the 2015 HANA Harness Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge presented by the Bellino Stables, DRF Harness, Hambletonian Society, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, Northfield Park, Tioga Downs, and Vernon Downs, finds Michael Carter holding on to his early lead with 319.7 points but as could be expected finds himself with company at the top.  Two other handicappers find themselves within a hundred points of Carter; Anne Stepien, thirteenth place as of the last report now finds herself vaulted into second place with 283.6 points; Bryan Owen, third in the last report remains in the show spot with 268 points.  In addition to these two handicappers, five others are laying in contention in the 200s. 

Prior to this week, with single race dates, movement has been slight but as stakes action has kicked into high gear, dates have multiple races and this is where the points start adding up fast and it showed this past weekend.  On Sunday, three handicappers (Ray Garnett, Josi Verlingieri, and Bob Zanakis) went a perfect three-for-three earning 145.8 points thanks to victories by Great Vintage, Radar Contact, and Father Patrick in the trio of invitational races at Harrah’s Philadelphia.  Stepien and Brandon Valvo, going two for three earned 64.2 and 51.8 points respectively.

On Monday DRF Harness’ Derick Giwner and Stepien went four for four in the Graduate series races at Tioga Downs crediting each with 128.4 points as a result of selecting Shake It Cerry, Opulent Yankee, Doo Wop Hanover, and Rockeyed Optimist to win their respective divisions.

After the first nine divisions, the standings show:

Standings as of Monday, May 25, 2015 - Leg 9
Total Points
Points Earned
Overall
Position
Pos
Handicapper
Prior Week
This Week
Total Points
Last Week
1st
Michael Carter
331.70
45.60
377.30
1st
2nd
Ann Stepien
91.00
192.60
283.60
8th
3rd
Bryan Owen
173.30
94.70
268.00
2nd
4th
Josi Verlingieri
87.60
179.80
267.40
9th
5th
Gordon Waterstone
162.30
94.20
256.50
3rd
6th
Ray Garnett
69.70
182.70
252.40
15th
7th
Derick Giwner
111.20
137.90
249.10
5th
8th
Bob Zanakis
50.80
175.30
226.10
17th
9th
Sally Hinckley
129.80
53.60
183.40
4th
10th
Brandon Valvo
100.10
66.20
166.30
6th
11th
Mark Dezii
76.00
84.40
160.40
13th
12th
Jay Hochstetler
85.20
68.00
153.20
11th
13th
Dennis O'Hara
80.30
69.80
150.10
12th
14th
Garnet Barnsdale
98.00
38.80
136.80
7th
15th
Earl Paulson
86.30
50.00
136.30
10th
16th
Rusty Nash
71.10
58.20
129.30
14th
17th
Mark McKelvie
52.80
33.20
86.00
16th
18th
Mark Deutsch
50.50
34.30
84.80
18th
19th
Ray Cotolo
48.20
33.10
81.30
19th


This week (May 29 and 30), the Grand Circuit challenge heads north to The Raceway at Western Fair District for the season closing Molson Pace on Friday then heads to Yonkers Raceway for the Art Rooney Pace and Lismore Pace on Saturday for three year olds of both sexes.  The following week finds the contest at June 5 at the Meadows for the Currier & Ives for three year old filly trotters and June 6 at a quartet of tracks; The Meadows for the Currier & Ives (three year old open trotters); The Meadowlands for the Graduate Series (four year old open pacers and trotters); Scioto Downs for the Charlie Hill (four year old open trotter); Mohawk Raceway for the Somebeachsomewhere (three year old open pace).

For details on the specific races and other information regarding the contest, visit http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com