June 11, 2015 - With
stakes season now in high gear, Ray Garnett. Previously in 6th
place, assumes the lead in 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, as the standings have been shaken up with plenty of movement. Garnett, with 539.7 points (268.2 for the
week) finds himself in front by a slim 11.3 point lead over Bob Zanakis whose 528.4 (292.8 for the week) points leapfrogged
him from 8th to 2nd place. Previous leader Michael Carter finds himself
in 3rd place with 509.7 points, just 30 points from the top spot. Other handicappers who distinguished themselves
during this past reporting period are Jay Hochstelter (214.2 pts for week) and Brandon
Valvo (212.4 pts for week).
In the 11th
leg of the competition, Mark Dezii and Brandon Valvo were both 2 for 2,
including the winner of the Lismore at Yonkers Raceway, Purrfect Bags $24.20,
which resulted in each of them earning 70.2 points for the evening.
Mark Dezii along with
Josi Verlingieri and Gordon Waterstone went 3 for 3 in the 12th leg
at The Meadows in the 3 divisions of the Currier & Ives stake for 3yo filly
trotters which earned each handicapper 71.4 points.
In leg 13, a total of 8
races were contested at the Meadowlands, The Meadows, Mohawk Raceway, and
Scioto Downs and Ray Garnett and Bob Zanakis took advantage of the situation by
exploding with 5 winners on the card earning 257.6 points taking down 3 of the
4 Graduate legs at the Meadowlands, the Currier & Ives for 3yo open
trotters, and the Charles Hill Memorial Trot at Scioto Downs. Jay Hochstetler earned 205.4 points with 4
winners for the evening. The other 4
race winner for the evening was Brandon Valvo who scored 181.8 points.
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Standings as of
Saturday, June 6, 2015 - Leg 13
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Total Points
|
Points Earned
|
Overall
|
Position
|
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|
Pos
|
Handicapper
|
Prior Week
|
This Week
|
Total Points
|
Last Week
|
|
1st
|
Ray Garnett
|
271.50
|
268.20
|
539.70
|
5th
|
|
2nd
|
Bob Zanakis
|
235.60
|
292.80
|
528.40
|
9th
|
|
3rd
|
Michael Carter
|
379.80
|
129.90
|
509.70
|
1st
|
|
4th
|
Brandon Valvo
|
241.40
|
212.40
|
453.80
|
8th
|
|
5th
|
Gordon Waterstone
|
268.50
|
142.10
|
410.60
|
6th
|
|
6th
|
Ann Stepien
|
291.00
|
118.10
|
409.10
|
2nd
|
|
7th
|
Jay Hochstetler
|
160.30
|
214.20
|
374.50
|
13th
|
|
8th
|
Derick Giwner
|
256.20
|
114.60
|
370.80
|
7th
|
|
9th
|
Josi Verlingieri
|
272.00
|
93.80
|
365.80
|
4th
|
|
10th
|
Mark Dezii
|
235.50
|
94.30
|
329.80
|
10th
|
|
11th
|
Bryan Owen
|
275.10
|
46.60
|
321.70
|
3rd
|
|
12th
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Garnet Barnsdale
|
160.50
|
141.80
|
302.30
|
12th
|
|
13th
|
Earl Paulson
|
148.30
|
148.50
|
296.80
|
15th
|
|
14th
|
Rusty Nash
|
138.80
|
106.20
|
245.00
|
16th
|
|
15th
|
Sally Hinckley
|
188.30
|
54.40
|
242.70
|
11th
|
|
16th
|
Dennis O'Hara
|
157.20
|
80.10
|
237.30
|
14th
|
|
17th
|
Mark McKelvie
|
98.00
|
72.20
|
170.20
|
17th
|
|
18th
|
Mark Deutsch
|
92.20
|
59.90
|
152.10
|
18th
|
|
19th
|
Ray Cotolo
|
88.40
|
52.80
|
141.20
|
19th
|
This week, the Battle of
Lake Erie at Northfield Park is the only race on the contest calendar. The following week is another big week for
the handicapping challenge as the third leg of the Graduate series for 4yo
trotters and pacers is on tap at the Meadowlands (6/19) while Saturday night
(6/20) has the North America Cup, Roses Are Red, Fan Hanover, Goodtimes, and Armbro
Flight being contested at Mohawk while a leg of the TVG series for trotters
takes place at the Meadowlands.
For details on the
specific races and other information regarding the contest, visit http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com.
