Sunday, February 28, 2016

Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge Prize Fund Reaches $5,250

February 28, 2016 – The 2016 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge, presented by HANA Harness is pleased to announce its prize fund this year currently stands at a record $5,250.  The prize fund, which comprises of donations by harness racing-related entities, is used for donations to standardbred rescues designated by the top three handicappers at the end of the competition or in the case of Canadian Sponsors, donated to a rescue in the name of the contest winner.  New this year is a $250 donation to the handicappers who have the best record in the first and second halves of the contest.

The Handicapping Challenge begins with the first leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker at Yonkers Raceway on March 18 and concludes with the Progress Pace at Dover Downs on November 28.  The complete contest schedule may be found here.

HANA Harness would like to thank the following organizations for being prize fund sponsors for this year’s challenge; our Gold Sponsors DRF Harness, Green Acquisition Corporation, The Hambletonian Society, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, Northfield Park, The Raceway at Western Fair District, Red Shores Charlottetown Driving Park, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, and our Silver Sponsor Eldorado Gaming-Scioto Downs.

There is still time to become a sponsor for this year’s contest.  Tracks, horsemen associations, and companies connected to harness racing are welcome to become sponsors.  If interested in becoming a sponsor, contact allan@hanaweb.org for additional information.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge Seeks Sponsors

Plans are underway for the 2016 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge being run by HANA Harness.  As such, HANA Harness is seeking financial sponsorship from various facets of the standardbred industry to build up the prize fund which goes to standardbred rescues.  Whether a racetrack, horseman association, breeder, racing stable, or a supplier to the industry, HANA Harness welcomes your participation.

The Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge's goal is to promote the Grand Circuit as well as support standardbred rescues.  All funds pledged to the competition are donated to the standardbred rescues chosen by the handicappers.  Canadian sponsors will be given the right to donate 2016 funds to the standardbred rescues of their choice in honor of the winning handicapper.  Since the contest began, over $12,000 has been donated to standardbred rescues.

Sponsorship levels are available from $500 to as low as $100 with various benefits.  If interested in additional information, contact allan@hanaweb.org