(July 25, 2016) – Another week, another
impressive performance by Jay Hochstetler 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 Hochstetler padded his overall lead with
310.23 points, good for a seasonal total of 1,481.45. With the weekend’s action concluded, this
leaves Hochstetler 511.13 points ahead of his nearest competitor, Russ Adams
who sits in second place with a total of 970.33 points.
While Hochstetler
topped the field for weekly honors, second place honors for the weekend goes to
Joe Bengston whose 248.75 points moved him from last to 12th
place. Show honors belong to Russ Adams
with 126.25, nosing out Anne Stepien’s 121.2.
The tone for the
weekend was set Friday evening (July 22) when Bengston and Hochstetler both
tabbed Kindergarten Winner Muscles Jared ($80.40). While Hochstetler had three winners on the
evening’s program to Bengtson’s two, the latter added Sunshine Delight ($25.60)
to his winning tally allowing him to win the evening 208.05 to 205.05. Continuing his hot streak, Hochstetler was a
perfect four for four Saturday (7/23) evening allowing him to add another 72.8
to his tally while Adams responded Sunday night (7/24) nailing three of six at
Vernon Downs, including Zweig Filly Stake Champion Flower N Songs ($18.40),
adding another 87.75 points to his total.
At the conclusion
of the weekend’s racing action, here are the standings:
|
July 24, 2016 - Leg #33
|
||||||
|
Pos
|
Handicapper
|
Total Points
Prior Week |
Points Earned
This Week |
Overall
Total Points |
Position
Last Week |
Points
Back |
|
1st
|
Jay Hochstetler
|
1,171.23
|
310.23
|
1,481.45
|
1st
|
-
|
|
2nd
|
Russ Adams
|
844.08
|
126.25
|
970.33
|
2nd
|
511.13
|
|
3rd
|
Rusty Nash
|
769.40
|
80.65
|
850.05
|
3rd
|
631.40
|
|
4th
|
Adam Friedland
|
722.30
|
61.88
|
784.18
|
5th
|
697.28
|
|
5th
|
Mark Deutsch
|
725.35
|
58.60
|
783.95
|
4th
|
697.50
|
|
6th
|
Gordon Waterstone
|
701.90
|
68.23
|
770.13
|
6th
|
711.33
|
|
7th
|
Dennis O'Hara
|
664.20
|
78.55
|
742.75
|
7th
|
738.70
|
|
8th
|
Michael Carter
|
637.60
|
95.50
|
733.10
|
8th
|
748.35
|
|
9th
|
Anne Stepien
|
602.40
|
121.20
|
723.60
|
11th
|
757.85
|
|
10th
|
Bryan Owen
|
613.73
|
83.13
|
696.85
|
9th
|
784.60
|
|
11th
|
Matt Rose
|
606.63
|
61.90
|
668.53
|
10th
|
812.93
|
|
12th
|
Joe Bengston
|
412.90
|
248.75
|
661.65
|
15th
|
819.80
|
|
13th
|
Sally Hinckley
|
554.03
|
78.75
|
632.78
|
12th
|
848.68
|
|
14th
|
Ray Cotolo
|
506.28
|
50.53
|
556.80
|
13th
|
924.65
|
|
15th
|
Ray Garnett
|
469.38
|
68.60
|
537.98
|
14th
|
943.48
|
As the mid-way
point of the contest approaches on August 14, it looks like Hochstetler will
easily be the first half champion, earning his rescue a $250 award.
Contest action resumes Friday (7/29)
and Saturday (7/30) with Adios weekend at The Meadows with multiple tilts of
the Arden Downs plus the Adioo Volo and The Adios in addition to Reynolds action
for 3yo colt and gelding trotters at the Meadowlands. The contest then moves on to August 6 for the
Hambletonian Day card at the Meadowlands.
Racing fans may continue getting
the handicappers’ selections and other contest-related information from HANA
Harness’ contest website http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com.
