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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