Sunday, May 29, 2016

Adams Surges in Hambletonian Society Handicapping Contest


(May 29, 2016) – After nine weeks of blowing away the rest of the handicappers, Jay Hochstetler all of a sudden finds himself in a horse race in 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 as Russ Adams continues his hot streak in week ten by being the top handicapper for the second straight week earning 146.9 points for this week's efforts.

What was a triple-digit lead a mere two weeks ago is now a single-digit lead thanks to the surge by Adams who resides in second place, a mere 9.3 points off the lead after being eleventh and 193.45 points behind two weeks ago.  Over the last two weeks, he earned a combined 241.15 points. 

Adams can thank his selection of Evenin of Pleasure ($74.30) to win the Molson Pace which earned him 99.7 of his 146.9 points for the week.  In addition to the Molson score, he selected the winner of a division of the Ms. Versatility Trot as well as the Lismore and the Maxie Lee Memorial the rest of the week which featured four days of contest action.

Second place honors for the past week went to Adam Friedland who earned 92.05 points to move from seventh to fourth place which is attributable to him sweeping the Betsy Ross, Maxie Lee, and Dorothy Mullin Invites including Venus Delight ($20.40), earning him 77.85 points of his weekly total.  Bryan Owen picked up show honors, edging out Rusty Nash 74.05 to 71.43.

Following Sunday afternoon’s racing, the standings are as follows:

May 29, 2016 - Leg #19
Pos
Handicapper
Total Points
Prior Week
Points Earned
This Week
Overall
Total Points
Position
Last
Week
Points
Back
1st
Jay Hochstetler
431.75
45.30
477.05
1st
     -  
2nd
Russ Adams
320.85
146.90
467.75
3rd
  9.30
3rd
Mark Deutsch
315.95
68.73
384.68
6th
       92.38
4th
Adam Friedland
284.13
92.05
376.18
7th
      100.88
5th
Anne Stepien
339.15
30.70
369.85
2nd
      107.20
6th
Dennis O'Hara
319.35
39.90
359.25
5th
      117.80
7th
Matt Rose
320.03
26.10
346.13
4th
      130.93
8th
Rusty Nash
263.13
71.43
334.55
10th
      142.50
9th
Ray Cotolo
284.08
27.00
311.08
8th
      165.98
10th
Gordon Waterstone
263.23
34.80
298.03
9th
      179.03
11th
Bryan Owen
208.45
74.05
282.50
15th
      194.55
12th
Michael Carter
220.30
57.90
278.20
12th
      198.85
13th
Ray Garnett
249.13
28.00
277.13
11th
      199.93
14th
Joe Bengston
217.50
49.60
267.10
13th
      209.95
15th
Sally Hinckley
211.18
41.60
252.78
14th
      224.28


The handicappers get a breather this week as the only action on the docket is at Mohawk Raceway where the Graduate series continues and the Somebeachsomewhere stakes will be contested.

As a reminder, visit http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com, where you can find the handicappers’ selections and results, updated standings, as well as see what stakes are coming up.