Nash Takes Lead in Hambletonian Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge

 (May 28, 2017) –   Rusty Nash has taken the lead in the Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge this past week with a point total of 376.3, 12.7 points ahead of Matt Rose’s 363.6.  Russ Adams, who was in the lead as of the last report, has dropped back to 3^rd place, not far off the pace with 337.1 points. The big mover this week is Megan Maccario who has moved up three slots from 7^th to 4^th place. 

With most of the recent legs consisting of few races won by favorites, it has been hard for any handicapper to put together a string of victories with the winner’s share of 50 points.  Often, lion’s share of points had to be split between multiple handicappers tying for the day which has precluded any big moves.  However, with the passing of Memorial Day weekend, the Grand Circuit kicks into high gear so there will be plenty of multi-race legs ahead for handicappers to take advantage of. 

Standings as of Sunday, May 28, 2017 - Leg #20
Pos	Handicapper	Total Points Earned	Legs Won	Overall Net Profit
1st	Rusty Nash	376.3	5	52.80
2nd	Matt Rose	363.6	4	7.00
3rd	Russ Adams	337.1	5	(15.50)
4th	Megan Maccario	260.5	3	(70.90)
5th	Gordon Waterstone	239.8	3	(64.50)
6th	Dennis O’Hara	220.5	3	(66.50)
7th	Sally Hinckley	219.0	3	(86.50)
8th	Ray Garnett	210.9	2	(34.60)
9th	Steve Horoky	202.4	2	(77.60)
10th	Jay Hochstetler	201.8	2	(44.10)
11th	Bryan Owen	201.2	2	(67.20)
12th	Michael Carter	172.4	2	(99.30)
13th	Terry Wilson	165.5	2	(104.10)
14th	Adam Friedland	157.8	1	(44.30)
15th	Ray Cotolo	140.0	1	(43.80)
16th	Anne Stepien	138.5	2	(118.60)

Next Up:  This Saturday (June 3), the Grand Circuit Handicapping challenge visits Northfield Park for the Battle of Lake Erie while Mohawk Racetrack hosts divisions of the Somebeachsomewhere as well as legs of the Graduate Series for 4yo trotters and pacers.  The following week has the Charlie Hill Trot on Saturday evening while Tioga Downs hosts pacers and trotters in the Graduate on Sunday.

The 2017 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge is sponsored by Adam Friedland, DRF Harness, Green Acquisition Corporation, The Hambletonian Society, Hoosier Park Racing and Casino, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, Northfield Park, Ontario Harness Horse Association, Red Shores Charlottetown/Summerside, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, Wellbourne Farms, and WEG Entertainment.  The contest is administered by HANA Harness, the harness racing division of HANA, the Horseplayers Association of North America.  Fans may follow the challenge by visiting the contest site at http;//hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com. 

Adams Takes Lead in Hambletonian Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge

(May 9, 2017) –   With three legs and eight races contested in the Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge this past week, the possibility of the standings being shuffled existed and it turned out to be the case.  Once the dust settled Russ Adams moved up two places to claim the lead with a total of 328.12 points versus Rusty Nash’s 315.  Last week’s leader Matt Rose fell back to third with a total of 267.63 points. 

The key to this past week was Saturday’s (May 6) races at Freehold Raceway and the Meadowlands.  Favorites ruled the day and Adams and Terry Wilson jumped on the bandwagon, both tabbing five out of six winners.  While each had five winners, Adams’ selections paid $1.50 more than Wilson’s which allowed him to claim the lead. 

With the overwhelming majority of handicappers selecting Hannelore Hanover in the Miami Valley Distaff Trot on Sunday (May 7), none of the handicappers selected the winner Charmed Life.  The best the handicappers could do is pick up the crumbs with Hannelore’s second-place finish which meant having to settle for a net loss of $1.70 

Monday (May 8) afternoon was the opposite of Sunday’s outcome as Lady Shadow ($3.40) didn’t disappoint in the Chip Noble Memorial Pace.  While seven handicappers had the winner, it was Rusty Nash, the lone handicapper who selected second place Divas Image whose ($16.40, $7.80) dividends easily topped the favorite’s payoffs allowing him to finish in front for the day

Standings as of Monday, May 8, 2017 - Leg #15
Pos	Handicapper	Total Points Earned	Legs Won	Overall Net Profit
1st	Russ Adams	328.12	4	4.00
2nd	Rusty Nash	315.00	4	60.00
3rd	Matt Rose	267.63	3	7.80
4th	Gordon Waterstone	204.36	2	(54.60)
5th	Bryan Owen	181.23	2	(39.90)
6th	Ray Garnett	172.36	2	(25.70)
7th	Megan Maccario	171.98	2	(68.00)
8th	Steve Horoky	167.52	1	(61.90)
9th	Michael Carter	166.36	2	(69.90)
10th	Dennis O’Hara	156.12	2	(70.20)
11th	Jay Hochstetler	145.36	1	(34.80)
12th	Terry Wilson	136.36	1	(85.50)
13th	Adam Friedland	119.91	0	(35.20)
14th	Anne Stepien	108.09	1	(96.90)
15th	Sally Hinckley	106.59	1	(96.60)
16th	Ray Cotolo	86.00	0	(31.90)

Next Up:  Monday was the lone race for the week so with no contest races this weekend, the focus is on May 20 when the Graduate series kicks off at the Meadowlands.  The following week features the Ms. Versatility (Mohawk, May 22); Molson Pace (Western Fair District, May 26); Lismore and Art Rooney (Yonkers, May 27); Betsy Ross and Maxie Lee Memorial (Harrah’s Philadelphia, May 28).

The 2017 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge is sponsored by Adam Friedland, DRF Harness, Green Acquisition Corporation, The Hambletonian Society, Hoosier Park Racing and Casino, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, Northfield Park, Ontario Harness Horse Association, Red Shores Charlottetown/Summerside, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, Wellbourne Farms, and WEG Entertainment.  The contest is administered by HANA Harness, the harness racing division of HANA, the Horseplayers Association of North America.  Fans may follow the challenge by visiting the contest site at http;//hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com.