September 13, 2015 – It was a
tight finish this week as the two admitted techno-cappers battled all the way
to the 14th race at Scioto Down 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.
Earl “Super Computer”
Paulson collected 166 HANA Grand Circuit points by selecting 4 winners on the
evening. The key to Earl’s victory was
landing the largest priced winner. He
was the only one to successfully come up with Doo Wop Hanover to upset in the Jim
Ewart Memorial at Scioto. In second was
Rusty “The Worksheet” Nash who also selected four winners including the second
best price of the evening on Nvestment Bluechip in the Champlain two year old
pace at Mohawk.
Four other handicappers
finished with four of six winners for the evening. While Saratoga Harness had a triple dead heat
Saturday evening, the HANA Grand Circuit had a double dead heat. Tied for third were Mark McKelvie and Bobby
Zanakis at 143 points. Tied for the
final spot on our weekly Pentafecta ticket were Bryan Owen and tour leader
Sally Hinckley at 124 points.
It is also worth noting that
four handicappers hit the board in all six races. These consistent players were Ray Garnett,
Derick Giwner, Rusty Nash and Brandon Valvo.
The top five in the overall Grand
Circuit Tour remain exactly the same this week. Sally Hinckley remains on top with 2,918
points. She was able to maintain an
impressive lead of more than 300 points.
Mark McKelvie did gain a little bit of ground and still remains the
“Best Of The Rest.” Anne Stepien, Bob Zanakis and Gordon Waterstone complete the
black type.
| Standings as of September 12, 2015 - Leg 37 | ||||||
| Total Points | Points Earned | Overall | Position | |||
| Pos | Handicapper | Prior Week | This Week | Total Points | Last Week | Points Back |
| 1st | Sally Hinckley | 2,858.30 | 124.50 | 2,982.80 | 1st | |
| 2nd | Mark McKelvie | 2,454.40 | 143.70 | 2,598.10 | 2nd | 384.7 |
| 3rd | Anne Stepien | 2,409.40 | 31.50 | 2,440.90 | 3rd | 541.9 |
| 4th | Bob Zanakis | 2,210.60 | 143.70 | 2,354.30 | 4th | 628.5 |
| 5th | Gordon Waterstone | 2,148.20 | 70.20 | 2,218.40 | 5th | 764.4 |
| 6th | Earl Paulson | 1,992.50 | 166.20 | 2,158.70 | 7th | 824.1 |
| 7th | Dennis O'Hara | 2,036.80 | 31.50 | 2,068.30 | 6th | 914.5 |
| 8th | Rusty Nash | 1,789.50 | 149.10 | 1,938.60 | 10th | 1,044.2 |
| 9th | Bryan Owen | 1,804.90 | 124.50 | 1,929.40 | 8th | 1,053.4 |
| 10th | Josi Verlingieri | 1,798.60 | 62.30 | 1,860.90 | 9th | 1,121.9 |
| 11th | Michael Carter | 1,667.10 | 26.10 | 1,693.20 | 11th | 1,289.6 |
| 12th | Garnet Barnsdale | 1,625.50 | 26.10 | 1,651.60 | 12th | 1,331.2 |
| 13th | Ray Garnett | 1,611.70 | 33.20 | 1,644.90 | 13th | 1,337.9 |
| 14th | Derick Giwner | 1,557.00 | 47.00 | 1,604.00 | 15th | 1,378.8 |
| 15th | Mark Dezii | 1,583.70 | 13.90 | 1,597.60 | 14th | 1,385.2 |
| 16th | Jay Hochstetler | 1,479.90 | 37.10 | 1,517.00 | 16th | 1,465.8 |
| 17th | Brandon Valvo | 1,200.10 | 34.70 | 1,234.80 | 17th | 1,748.0 |
| 18th | Ray Cotolo | 1,064.30 | 59.70 | 1,124.00 | 18th | 1,858.8 |
| 19th | Mark Deutsch | 702.50 | 49.30 | 751.80 | 19th | 2,231.0 |
Next week we break up the
week starting with the Nadia Lobell from The Meadows on Wednesday. Then we visit Mohawk again on Saturday for an
exceptional evening of five finals. They
are The Peaceful Way, The Maple Leaf Trot, The William Wellwood, The Canadian
Trot Classic and The Elegant Image.
Finally on Monday we head back down the Atlantic Coast to Harrington
Raceway for the Bobby Quillen. It gets
busy shortly thereafter as Little Brown Jug week gets rolling!
