(August
14, 2016) – With 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 having reached the midway point for this year’s
contest, Jay Hochstetler is named the winner of the first half with a grand
total of 1,789.1 points, 492.95 points ahead of his nearest competitor.
As a result of coming in first during the
first half, a $250 donation will be made by The Hambletonian Society to the
Central Virginia Horse Rescue in honor of Hochstetler’s performance. Starting with this coming Friday’s races at
Vernon Downs, the second half of the season begins with everyone at zero
points. The person with the highest
combined first and second half totals will be crowned the overall winner with
their rescue receiving the grand prize and the second and third place finishers
also earning money for their rescues.
But for this past weekend, Rusty Nash managed to edge by
Dennis O’Hara with only 1.75 points separating the duo (149.5 vs. 147.75). Gordon Waterstone was third for the weekend,
scoring 133.55. With this past Friday
(August 12) being mostly favorites in the Tompkins-Gears at Toga Downs on
Friday, it is no secret the previously named trio had five out of six winners,
each earning 112.5 points for the evening, all missing Ocean Colony ($23.60) in
the sixth race.
While only having one winner on Saturday night’s card, Nash
was able to pull away thanks to his 16.5 points which was the result of selecting
the winner of Carl Milstein Memorial and a second place finish in the Moni
Maker, maintaining his lead by going two for two on Sunday, selecting the
winner of the Open and Ms. Versatility leg at Tioga.
The standings at the conclusion of the first half are:
Standings as of August
14, 2016 - Leg #39
|
||||||
Pos
|
Handicapper
|
Total Points
Prior Week |
Points Earned
This Week |
Overall
Total Points |
Position
Last Week |
Points
Back |
1st
|
Jay Hochstetler
|
1,726.93
|
62.18
|
1,789.10
|
1st
|
-
|
2nd
|
Rusty Nash
|
1,146.65
|
149.50
|
1,296.15
|
3rd
|
492.95
|
3rd
|
Adam Friedland
|
1,173.90
|
72.25
|
1,246.15
|
2nd
|
542.95
|
4th
|
Russ Adams
|
1,128.90
|
52.03
|
1,180.93
|
4th
|
608.18
|
5th
|
Dennis O'Hara
|
1,029.15
|
147.75
|
1,176.90
|
9th
|
612.20
|
6th
|
Sally Hinckley
|
1,064.63
|
105.25
|
1,169.88
|
5th
|
619.23
|
7th
|
Gordon Waterstone
|
1,034.93
|
133.55
|
1,168.48
|
7th
|
620.63
|
8th
|
Matt Rose
|
1,029.65
|
72.40
|
1,102.05
|
8th
|
687.05
|
9th
|
Michael Carter
|
1,049.10
|
43.45
|
1,092.55
|
6th
|
696.55
|
10th
|
Mark Deutsch
|
927.00
|
51.20
|
978.20
|
10th
|
810.90
|
11th
|
Bryan Owen
|
875.23
|
102.05
|
977.28
|
12th
|
811.83
|
12th
|
Anne Stepien
|
876.60
|
59.90
|
936.50
|
11th
|
852.60
|
13th
|
Joe Bengston
|
846.65
|
68.70
|
915.35
|
13th
|
873.75
|
14th
|
Ray Cotolo
|
754.63
|
40.90
|
795.53
|
14th
|
993.58
|
15th
|
Ray Garnett
|
697.28
|
91.50
|
788.78
|
15th
|
1,000.33
|
The second half of the season commences
Friday evening (August 19) with a leg of the Kindergarten at Tioga Downs for
2yo pacers with filly and colt divisions.
Saturday is another big evening of racing with the Battle of the Brandywine
card from Pocono Downs which consists of the Battle of the Brandywine,
Colonial, and Valley Forge and their respective consolations plus the Eternal
Camnation and Nassagaweya from Mohawk Racetrack. Sunday concludes with a visit to La Belle
Province, Quebec for the Prix D’Ete at Hippodrome 3R.
Racing
fans may continue getting the handicappers’ selections and other
contest-related information from HANA Harness’ contest website http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com.
