(October
23, 2016) – With eighteen races over the
past two days, this past weekend may
have been one of the last two opportunities to make a run at overall leader 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. While, barring a miracle such as the 1969 New
York Mets, it appears Hochstetler is home free as the overall leader, there are
ten more contest dates remaining; providing handicappers a chance of breaking
into the top three allowing them to earn dividends for their standardbred rescues.
While not likely finishing in
the top three, Gordon Waterstone put in an effort this past weekend worthy of
the best handicappers, commanding top honors for this past weekend scoring
256.4 points, 35 points ahead of Michael Carter (222.98 pts.). Landing third best for the weekend was Sally
Hinckley (203 pts.). While Waterstone
was shut out Friday evening, he bounced back Saturday at the Meadowlands,
selecting eight of fourteen winners on the evening card including Sutton
($15.40) in a Breeders Crown elimination for 3yo trotting colts and geldings
and Tori Hanover ($24.00) in an elimination for 2yo pacing fillies. Carter and Hinckley also tabbed eight
winners, alas without a longshot.
In
the race for the second half award, Matt Rose (1,631.58 pts.) clings to a 13.05
point lead over overall leader Hochstetler who has 1,618.53 points. Hinckley is in third with 1,445.7 points,
leaving the others far behind.
For
the season-long title, Hochstetler has a commanding lead with 3,407.63 points
with Rose far behind with 2,733.63 points.
Following the top two, Hinckley is in third with 2,615.58 points with
the next contender roughly 580 points further back.
This
coming weekend, contest action remains centered at the Meadowlands with the
finals of the Breeders Crown and the fifth leg of the Kindergarten Classic
being contested, affording handicappers with another chance to make up ground
though it will require the cooperation of the racing gods to provide a few bombs
for the handicapper to select.
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.
|
2nd Half and Overall
Standings
|
|||||||
|
Position
|
Handicapper
|
Points This Week
|
Total Points
|
Points Back
|
Overall Position
|
Overall Points
|
Overall Points Back
|
|
1st
|
Matt Rose
|
89.75
|
1,631.58
|
0.00
|
2nd
|
2733.63
|
674.00
|
|
2nd
|
Jay Hochstetler (FHW)
|
168.55
|
1,618.53
|
13.05
|
1st
|
3407.63
|
0.00
|
|
3rd
|
Sally Hinckley
|
203.00
|
1,445.70
|
185.88
|
3rd
|
2615.58
|
792.05
|
|
4th
|
Ray Garnett
|
121.80
|
1,283.28
|
348.30
|
11th
|
2072.05
|
1,335.58
|
|
5th
|
Adam Friedland
|
195.65
|
1,245.63
|
385.95
|
4th
|
2491.78
|
915.85
|
|
6th
|
Dennis O'Hara
|
147.40
|
1,230.63
|
400.95
|
6th
|
2407.53
|
1,000.10
|
|
7th
|
Gordon Waterstone
|
256.40
|
1,218.95
|
412.63
|
7th
|
2387.43
|
1,020.20
|
|
8th
|
Russ Adams
|
131.48
|
1,205.70
|
425.88
|
8th
|
2386.63
|
1,021.00
|
|
9th
|
Mark Deutsch
|
135.70
|
1,161.68
|
469.90
|
10th
|
2139.88
|
1,267.75
|
|
10th
|
Rusty Nash
|
193.00
|
1,156.13
|
475.45
|
5th
|
2452.28
|
955.35
|
|
11th
|
Michael Carter
|
222.98
|
1,144.80
|
486.78
|
9th
|
2237.35
|
1,170.28
|
|
12th
|
Bryan Owen
|
87.80
|
1,091.75
|
539.83
|
12th
|
2069.03
|
1,338.60
|
|
13th
|
Anne Stepien
|
188.20
|
1,062.40
|
569.18
|
13th
|
1998.90
|
1,408.73
|
|
14th
|
Ray Cotolo
|
75.65
|
1,025.55
|
606.03
|
14th
|
1821.08
|
1,586.55
|
|
15th
|
Joe Bengston
|
117.30
|
718.98
|
912.60
|
15th
|
1634.33
|
1,773.30
|
