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.
