Sunday, June 18, 2017

Garnett Takes North America Cup Leg of GC Contest

 (June 18, 2017) –   While Dennis O’Hara gets to claim a moral victory by selecting four of the six stake winners on Saturday’s (June 17) Pepsi North America Cup card at Mohawk Racetrack, it was only good enough for second place as Ray Garnett managed to take top honors in this leg of the Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge by selecting Bettors Up ($24.40) in the Fan Hanover.  In the overall contest, Matt Rose (415.1 points) maintains his lead over Rusty Nash (414.3 pts.) by a mere 0.8 points.

In addition to Bettors Up, Garnett’s performance was aided with his selection of Macs Jackpot who finished second in the North America Cup consolation as it returned a combined $17.90 for place and show.  His other winners Saturday were Hannelore Hanover ($2.40) in the Armbro Flight and Lady Shadow ($3,60) in the Roses Are Red.  With his win, Garnett moves up from eighth to sixth place.      

In the overall net profit competition, Rusty Nash leads Ray Garnett by $12.90.  Matt Rose trails in third, back an additional $17.50.

Standings as of Saturday,  June 17, 2017 - Leg #24
Pos
Handicapper
Total Points Earned
Legs Won
Last Leg
Streak
1st
Matt Rose
415.1
5
1st
3
2nd
Rusty Nash
414.3
5
2nd
3rd
Russ Adams
365.1
5
3rd

4th
Megan Maccario
354.5
4
4th

5th
Dennis O’Hara
332.0
4
5th
6th
Ray Garnett
329.9
3
8th
7th
Gordon Waterstone
313.1
3
6th
8th
Sally Hinckley
281.3
3
7th
9th
Jay Hochstetler
277.8
3
9th
10th
Steve Horoky
230.4
2
10th
11th
Bryan Owen
219.2
2
11th
12th
Michael Carter
209.4
2
12th
13th
Terry Wilson
194.5
2
14th
14th
Adam Friedland
176.8
1
13th
15th
Anne Stepien
161.5
2
16th
16th
Ray Cotolo
157.3
1
16th



Next Up:  A week off for the handicappers before the challenge resumes on July 1 with Sun Stakes Saturday at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs and the Cleveland Trot Classic at Northfield Park. The following weekend features the contest’s first appearance of two year olds in the Kindergarten Series (Friday) plus the Graduate Series (Saturday) at the Meadowlands, and concludes with the non-Grand Circuit Governors Cup at Summerside Raceway.

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