(March 20, 2016) - Jay Hochstetler kicked off the start of
the 2016 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge sponsored by DRF
Harness, Green Acquisition Corporation, The Hambletonian Society, Hoosier
Park Racing and Casino, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, Northfield Park,
The Raceway at Western Fair District, Red Shores Charlottetown Driving Park,
Tioga Downs, and Vernon Downs aided by his selection of Mach It Par ($81.00) in
Friday night’s Blue Chip Matchmaker Series opener. After the first two evenings, Hochstetler has
a total of 164.90 points, 86.20 points over his nearest rival.
With the addition of another
Silver Sponsor, Dr. Adam Friedland, the total prize fund for the HANA Harness-sponsored
event to be donated to the lucky standardbred rescues stands at an all-time
record of $6,000.
A couple of handicappers are
late additions to the contest, Joe Bengston and Adam Friedland will be representing
Therapeutic Riding and Off-Track Rehabilitation (TROTR) and Helping Hearts
Equine Rescue respectively. A full list
of the rescues and their handicappers may be found here.
On Friday evening, while
Sally Hinckley and Dennis O’Hara earned points in all three divisions of the
Matchmaker earning 26.60 points, their results were overshadowed by Hochstetler
who 111.40 points, of which 107.80 points came from Mach It Par.
Saturday evening there was a
quintet of handicappers (Friedland – 48.80 points; Hochstetler – 53.50; Bryan
Owen – 54.20; Matt Rose – 58.30; Gordon Waterstone – 46.95) who scored three
winners in the George Morton Memorial Series opener. While trailing in the number of winners, Mark
Deutsch with 2 winners, earned points in all six divisions of the Levy totaling
50.93 points allowing him to keep pace with the top scorers for the evening.
After the first two nights,
here are the complete standings.
|
Position
|
Handicapper
|
Total Points
Prior Week |
Points Earned
This Week |
Overall
Total Points |
Points
Back |
|
1st
|
Jay Hochstetler
|
0.00
|
164.90
|
164.90
|
-
|
|
2nd
|
Matt Rose
|
0.00
|
78.70
|
78.70
|
86.20
|
|
3rd
|
Adam Friedland
|
0.00
|
75.40
|
75.40
|
89.50
|
|
4th
|
Bryan Owen
|
0.00
|
71.60
|
71.60
|
93.30
|
|
5th
|
Gordon Waterstone
|
0.00
|
58.55
|
58.55
|
106.35
|
|
6th
|
Ray Garnett
|
0.00
|
57.20
|
57.20
|
107.70
|
|
7th
|
Rusty Nash
|
0.00
|
56.65
|
56.65
|
108.25
|
|
8th
|
Mark Deutsch
|
0.00
|
54.53
|
54.53
|
110.38
|
|
9th
|
Anne Stepien
|
0.00
|
54.23
|
54.23
|
110.68
|
|
10th
|
Dennis O'Hara
|
0.00
|
54.20
|
54.20
|
110.70
|
|
11th
|
Sally Hinckley
|
0.00
|
44.80
|
44.80
|
120.10
|
|
12th
|
Ray Cotolo
|
0.00
|
26.80
|
26.80
|
138.10
|
|
13th
|
Russ Adams
|
0.00
|
21.60
|
21.60
|
143.30
|
|
14th
|
Joe Bengston
|
0.00
|
17.70
|
17.70
|
147.20
|
|
15th
|
Michael Carter
|
0.00
|
15.30
|
15.30
|
149.60
|
The 2016 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping
Challenge continues with the second round of the Matchmaker and Levy Memorial
series at Yonkers Raceway on Friday (3/25) and Saturday (3/26). For further information regarding the
contest, you may visit http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com.
