Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Hochstetler Crowned Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Champion


(November 29, 2016) –  Jay Hochstetler has been crowned the champion 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 after crossing the wire first in a dominating victory; his total of 3,631.13 points being 635.31 more than runner-up Matt Rose who finished with 2,995.83.  Sally Hinckley finished third with a tally of 2,900.88.

The second-half champion, Rose by virtue of his second half total of 1,893.78 points over Hochstetler’s second half tally of 1,789.10 earned an additional $250 for his winning rescue, Starting Gaits Standardbred Transition Program.

By virtue of his first place finish, Hochstetler’s rescue of choice, Central Virginia Horse Rescue earns the bulk of the prize fund with a donation of $2,500.  Rose’s rescue, Starting Gaits will be a recipient of an additional $1,400 (excluding the $250 second half donation) while Rainhill Sanctuary, Hinckley’s rescue picks up the third place prize of $600.  $1,000 will be sent to Canadian rescues in honor of Hochstetler's victory.

HANA Harness which has been providing scoring for the contest would like to thank in addition to our Gold Sponsors, our Silver Sponsors, Dr. Adam Friedland and Eldorado Gaming – Scioto Downs for their sponsorship of this year’s contest which allowed us to have a record prize fund of $6,000 to benefit Standardbred Horse Rescue

Plans are underway for next year’s edition of the Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge.  Any North American handicapper who would like to be considered as a contestant next year are welcome to inquire by contacting allan@hanaweb.org.  
  
HANA Harness is looking for sponsors of next year’s event as well.  Those interested in participating in this worthwhile effort to support American Standardbred Rescues via sponsorship should contact HANA Harness at allan@hanaweb.org.


FINAL - 2nd Half and Overall Standings
Position
Handicapper
Points This Week
Total Points
Points Back
Overall Position
Overall Points
Overall Points Back
1st
Matt Rose
10.90
1,893.78
-
2nd
2,995.83
635.31
2nd
Jay Hochstetler (FHW)
11.90
1,842.03
51.74
1st
3,631.13
-
3rd
Sally Hinckley
19.60
1,731.01
162.77
3rd
2,900.88
730.25
4th
Gordon Waterstone
0.00
1,581.41
312.37
5th
2,749.89
881.25
5th
Ray Garnett
10.90
1,505.93
387.85
12th
2,294.70
1,336.43
6th
Dennis O'Hara
8.30
1,478.08
415.70
7th
2,654.98
976.16
7th
Adam Friedland
0.00
1,477.08
416.70
6th
2,723.23
907.91
8th
Russ Adams
0.00
1,470.25
423.53
8th
2,651.18
979.96
9th
Anne Stepien
29.90
1,466.43
427.35
10th
2,402.93
1,228.21
10th
Rusty Nash
5.70
1,463.26
430.52
4th
2,759.41
871.73
11th
Mark Deutsch
37.20
1,348.13
545.65
11th
2,326.33
1,304.81
12th
Michael Carter
35.50
1,322.73
571.05
9th
2,415.28
1,215.86
13th
Bryan Owen
0.00
1,167.60
726.18
13th
2,144.88
1,486.26
14th
Ray Cotolo
6.20
1,154.35
739.43
14th
1,949.88
1,681.26
15th
Joe Bengston
13.90
818.08
1075.70
15th
1,733.43
1,897.71

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge Coming to the Wire


(November 20, 2016) –  After seventy-nine legs, 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 coming down to the wire.  While for the most part  payoff positions have been wrapped up, there is still a race on for second half champion as Matt Rose (1,882.88 points) is seeking to hold off first half champion Jay Hochstetler (1,830.13 pts.) with two contest dates remaining and 52.74 points separating the two handicappers.  Hochstetler will be the overall champion while Rose leads Sally Hinckley by 103.64 points for the runner-up position which should hold up barring shockers in the final two legs.

However, this past weekend was Final Four weekend at Woodbine Racetrack and when the points were tallied, Ray Garnett came out on top, earning 46.2 points for two winners, besting Russ Adams with 45.58 points and Hochstetler with 38.7 points also with two winners, the difference attributable to Garnett’s selection of Thats The Ticket ($13.70) in the Three Diamonds Final.
This year’s edition of the Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge comes to a conclusion with The Courageous Lady, Saturday (November 26) at Northfield Park and the Progress Stake at Dover Downs on Monday (November 28).  

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
22.20
1,882.88
0.00
2nd
2984.93
634.31
2nd
Jay Hochstetler (FHW)
38.70
1,830.13
52.74
1st
3619.23
0.00
3rd
Sally Hinckley
11.20
1,711.41
171.47
3rd
2881.28
737.95
4th
Gordon Waterstone
12.50
1,581.41
301.47
5th
2749.89
869.35
5th
Ray Garnett
46.20
1,495.03
387.85
12th
2283.80
1,335.43
6th
Adam Friedland
14.50
1,477.08
405.80
6th
2723.23
896.01
7th
Russ Adams
45.58
1,470.25
412.63
7th
2651.18
968.06
8th
Dennis O'Hara
18.80
1,469.78
413.10
8th
2646.68
972.56
9th
Rusty Nash
12.60
1,457.56
425.32
4th
2753.71
865.53
10th
Anne Stepien
18.80
1,436.53
446.35
10th
2373.03
1,246.21
11th
Mark Deutsch
21.50
1,310.93
571.95
11th
2289.13
1,330.11
12th
Michael Carter
24.50
1,287.23
595.65
9th
2379.78
1,239.46
13th
Bryan Owen
0.00
1,167.60
715.28
13th
2144.88
1,474.36
14th
Ray Cotolo
14.60
1,148.15
734.73
14th
1943.68
1,675.56
15th
Joe Bengston
0.00
804.18
1078.70
15th
1719.53
1,899.71



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