Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Cotolo has Big Week in Hambletonian Society Handicapping Contest


(May 10, 2016) – Following a bye week, Ray Cotolo had a big weeked earning 71.4 points and moving from 8th to 4th place in week seven 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.  While Cotolo made a big move, Jay Hochstetler remains in front, lengthening his lead slightly.

Saturday was an Afternoon Delight for Cotolo as he reined in Dazzling Dollars ($22.60) in the Lady Suffolk at Freehold Raceway, earning 41.6 points for the afternoon.   A duo of handicappers, Russ Adams and Mark Deutsch, tabbed 78-1 Curikee who finished third in the distaff stake earning 18 points a piece. Joe Bengston scored 16.2 points with his second place finisher Southwind Hope.

While not the top handicapper on Sunday, Cotolo managed to earn 29.8 points on Sunday, nailing Solar Sister ($12.40) in the Chip Noble Memorial along with second place finisher Charmed Life in the Miami Valley Distaff.  The top handicapper on Sunday was Rusty Nash who scored a Place-3 with second place finishes in the two Miami Valley stakes and the Elitlopp Playoff at the Meadowlands earning 30 points.  Other handicappers who had good Sundays were Michael Carter (26.9 points), Adam Friedland (29.8), and Ray Garnett (23.6).

Following the weekend’s action, the standings are as follows:

May 8, 2016 - Leg #13
Pos
Handicapper
Total Points
Prior Week
Points Earned
This Week
Overall
Total Points
Position
Last
Week
Points
Back
1st
Jay Hochstetler
389.75
19.00
408.75
1st
            -  
2nd
Matt Rose
289.63
6.80
296.43
2nd
      112.33
3rd
Mark Deutsch
267.45
27.60
295.05
3rd
      113.70
4th
Ray Cotolo
198.78
71.40
270.18
8th
      138.58
5th
Dennis O'Hara
227.13
15.30
242.43
4th
      166.33
6th
Anne Stepien
210.50
22.10
232.60
6th
      176.15
7th
Adam Friedland
202.53
29.80
232.33
7th
      176.43
8th
Ray Garnett
198.33
32.40
230.73
9th
      178.03
9th
Gordon Waterstone
215.20
15.30
230.50
5th
      178.25
10th
Russ Adams
192.60
23.00
215.60
10th
      193.15
11th
Rusty Nash
183.18
30.00
213.18
13th
      195.58
12th
Sally Hinckley
186.18
8.80
194.98
11th
      213.78
13th
Bryan Owen
185.25
8.80
194.05
12th
      214.70
14th
Joe Bengston
171.90
16.20
188.10
14th
      220.65
15th
Michael Carter
149.10
26.90
176.00
15th
      232.75


This week, the Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge heads north of the border to Flamboro Downs where the primary race contest will be the Confederation Cup on Sunday, May 15.  Since there is only one Grand Circuit race on the card, the handicappers will have the opportunity to wager on additional one or two high-level overnight races on the card.

For further information regarding the contest, you may visit http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com