Sunday, June 4, 2017

Hochstetler Takes Leg, Nash Still on Top in Handicapping Challenge

(June 4, 2017) –   Longshots have finally come home to roost in Grand Circuit racing which caused some difficulties for the Grand Circuit handicapping panel but Jay Hochstetler was able to take advantage of the situation as his one winner, Canada’s fastest pacer, Dr J Hanover ($32.90) was able to put him on the plus side for the evening, thus the winner of Saturday’s (6/3) leg of the handicapping challenge.  Hochstetler’s victory allowed him to leap frog from 10th to 6th place.

Despite nailing down two short priced winners, overall leader Rusty Nash failed to place in the top five for the week but still maintains his overall lead for the second week, besting 2nd place Matt Rose (388.3 vs. 363.6 points).  Russ Adams maintains his 3rd place position, just 22.5 points further back in the hunt.   

In the overall profit contest, the standings mirror the points leaders board with Nash leading Rose and Adams.  Thanks to Hochstetler’s selection last night, he moves into 4th, less than $70 separating the top four.

Standings as of Sunday, June 3, 2017 - Leg #21
Pos
Handicapper
Total Points Earned
Legs Won
Last Week
Streak
1st
Rusty Nash
388.3
5
1st
2
2nd
Matt Rose
363.6
4
2nd
3rd
Russ Adams
344.1
5
3rd
4th
Megan Maccario
267.5
3
4th
5th
Gordon Waterstone
257.8
3
5th
6th
Jay Hochstetler
256.8
3
10th
7th
Dennis O’Hara
242.5
3
6th
8th
Ray Garnett
240.9
2
8th
9th
Sally Hinckley
226.0
3
7th
10th
Steve Horoky
209.4
2
9th
11th
Bryan Owen
208.2
2
11th
12th
Michael Carter
182.4
2
12th
13th
Terry Wilson
172.5
2
13th
14th
Adam Friedland
169.8
1
14th
15th
Anne Stepien
140.5
2
16th
16th
Ray Cotolo
140.0
1
15th



Next Up:  This Saturday (6/10), Scioto Down’s Charlie Hill (Open Trot) is the sole race on the contest slate while Sunday (6/11) brings the Graduate Series (Open) for pacers and trotters to Tioga Downs. The following week returns the contest to Mohawk Racetrack for the Pepsi North America Cup racing program.

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