(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
|
