Sunday, September 18, 2016

Matt Rose Tops Weekly Honors in Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit ‘Cap Contest


(September 18, 2016) –  If the first three days of the current nine-day consecutive streak of racing 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 is any indication, there may be some more bold made during the week.  For evidence of this, one only needs to look at Matt Rose, who is the top handicapper for the week with 433.4 points (871.18 pts total second half), who moved from fifth to first in the second half of the contest and from eighth to second place overall with a total of 1,942.35 points, behind overall leader Jay Hochstetler by 480.8 pts.

Taking the place position for the week is Russ Adams whose 254.83 points for the week (713.65 – second half; 1,894.58 overall) which lands him in third place overall while Bryan Owen picked up show honors with 146.65 points.

Rose can attribute his success this week primarily to his selection of Royal Charm in the final of the Elegantimage as the horse paid $67.50 to win and an eye-opening $122.20 place dividend on his way to earning a total of 379.93 points for his four bagger on Saturday (9/17) evening.

Adam’s big evening was Friday (9/16) night as he nailed four winners and a second place finisher in five races including Kindergarten Classic division winner Limerence ($37.80) on his way to a total of 167.28 points for the evening.
 
2nd Half and Overall Standings
Position
Handicapper
Points This Week
Total Points
Points Back
Overall Position
Overall Points
Overall Points Back
1st
Matt Rose
433.40
871.18
-
2nd
1973.23
460.33
2nd
Russ Adams
254.83
713.65
157.53
3rd
1894.58
538.98
3rd
Ray Garnett
82.05
669.25
201.93
11th
1458.03
975.53
4th
Jay Hochstetler (FHW)
103.88
644.45
226.73
1st
2433.55
-
5th
Sally Hinckley
96.33
608.30
262.88
4th
1778.18
655.38
6th
Bryan Owen
146.65
579.68
291.50
9th
1556.95
876.60
7th
Dennis O'Hara
112.75
503.20
367.98
7th
1680.10
753.45
8th
Adam Friedland
63.50
482.78
388.40
5th
1728.93
704.63
9th
Gordon Waterstone
56.83
463.80
407.38
8th
1632.28
801.28
10th
Mark Deutsch
32.00
436.98
434.20
12th
1415.18
1,018.38
11th
Michael Carter
76.20
427.65
443.53
10th
1520.20
913.35
12th
Rusty Nash
81.50
419.58
451.60
6th
1715.73
717.83
13th
Joe Bengston
69.30
378.60
492.58
14th
1293.95
1,139.60
14th
Anne Stepien
44.80
363.03
508.15
13th
1299.53
1,134.03
15th
Ray Cotolo
11.90
351.95
519.23
15th
1147.48
1,286.08



The handicappers will be busy this week as every day is contest day starting on Monday (9/19) with the Bobby Quillen Memorial at Harrington Raceway.  The contest then returns to the Delaware County Fair for three more days of racing; Tuesday - The Standardbred (2yo filly trotters); Wednesday - The Standardbred (2yo filly pacers), The Buckette (3yo filly trotters), The Jugette (3yo filly pacers); Thursday - Little Brown Jug (3yo pacers), The Standardbred (2yo colt trotters), Ms. Versatility (mare trotters), and Old Oaken Bucket (3yo trotters).  Friday and Saturday brings the contest to Hoosier Park for the Kentuckiana Stallion Stakes for 2yo filly trotters on Friday, continuing on Saturday with the Kentuckiana for 2yo filly pacers, Centaur (open Trotters), Jennas Beach Boy (3yo colt pacers), The Elevation (2yo colt pacers), and the Hoosier Park Pacing Derby (3yo colt pacers).  The contest closes out Saturday evening with the Milton (filly and mare pacers) at Mohawk Racetrack.  


Racing fans may continue getting the handicappers’ selections and other contest-related information such as the complete standings from HANA Harness’ contest website  http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com.