(April 17, 2016) – After five weeks 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, Jay Hochstetler remains in front; the position he has held since
day one. Hochstetler has an 88.05-point
lead over the second place handicapper Mark Deutsch with a score of 352.7
points. Sitting in the third position is
Matt Rose, 95.08 points behind the leader. At this early stage, this trio has
gapped the balance of the field as 62.5 points separates the third and fourth
positions.
With favorites dominating
this weekend’s action, there was little movement in the standings with Dennis O’Hara
leading the pack earning 29.08 points, enough to move from seventh to fourth as
well as claiming the title of ‘Weekly Leader’.
O’Hara was one of seven handicappers who managed to score 20 points or
more this weekend, with the balance of Club 20 being Hochstetler (25.98 points),
Ray Garnett (24.5), Gordon Waterstone (24.2), Anne Stepien (23.7), Michael
Carter (22.4), and Rusty Nash (20.3).
The same group of horses
meet up next week for Finals and Consolations of the Blue Chip Matchmaker
and George Morton Levy Memorial Series, so it’s unlikely there will be any
breakouts this coming week. Once the Grand Circuit schedule heads into the
field, one can expect some big moves.
The current standings are as
follows:
|
Standings as of April 16, 2016 -
Leg #10
|
||||||
|
Pos
|
Handicapper
|
Total Points
Prior Week |
Points Earned
This Week |
Overall
Total Points |
Position
Last Week |
Points
Back |
|
1st
|
Jay
Hochstetler
|
326.73
|
25.98
|
352.70
|
1st
|
-
|
|
2nd
|
Mark
Deutsch
|
245.93
|
18.73
|
264.65
|
2nd
|
88.05
|
|
3rd
|
Matt Rose
|
240.33
|
17.30
|
257.63
|
3rd
|
95.08
|
|
4th
|
Dennis
O'Hara
|
166.05
|
29.08
|
195.13
|
7th
|
157.58
|
|
5th
|
Ray Cotolo
|
178.18
|
9.80
|
187.98
|
4th
|
164.73
|
|
6th
|
Adam
Friedland
|
169.63
|
16.00
|
185.63
|
6th
|
167.08
|
|
7th
|
Anne
Stepien
|
161.90
|
23.70
|
185.60
|
9th
|
167.10
|
|
8th
|
Russ Adams
|
177.10
|
5.00
|
182.10
|
5th
|
170.60
|
|
9th
|
Sally
Hinckley
|
162.40
|
16.08
|
178.48
|
8th
|
174.23
|
|
10th
|
Gordon
Waterstone
|
149.90
|
24.20
|
174.10
|
11th
|
178.60
|
|
11th
|
Rusty Nash
|
151.38
|
20.30
|
171.68
|
10th
|
181.03
|
|
12th
|
Ray Garnett
|
144.43
|
24.50
|
168.93
|
13th
|
183.78
|
|
13th
|
Bryan Owen
|
144.70
|
7.50
|
152.20
|
12th
|
200.50
|
|
14th
|
Joe
Bengston
|
143.70
|
0.00
|
143.70
|
14th
|
209.00
|
|
15th
|
Michael
Carter
|
107.40
|
22.40
|
129.80
|
15th
|
222.90
|
The 2016 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping
Challenge continues with the finals and consolations of the Matchmaker and Levy
Memorial series at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday, March 23. After a week off, the competition heads to
Freehold Raceway, Miami Valley Raceway, and the Meadowlands for more early
season stakes action the following weekend.
For further information regarding the contest, you may visit http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com.
