(April 3, 2016) – Thanks to his selection of For The Ladies N ($40.40) in the first division of the Blue Chip Matchmaker series on Friday night, Mark Deutsch was the top dog in week three of the harness racing 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 with a weekly total of 112 points for an overall total of 210.15.
While Deutsch was the top handicapper for the week, Jay Hochstetler remains comfortably on the lead with 283.1 points.
With Deutsch's effort, he leapfrogs from ninth to second place this week thanks to a pair of longshots; the previously mentioned For The Ladies N for 71.6 points (win, place, and show prices combined) and upset winner Santa Fe Beachboy ($15.20) for 29.4 points in the first division of the George Morton Levy Memorial series on Saturday night.
Second best for the weekend was Joe Bengston, far back with 58.1 points.
The show spot for the week and overall goes to DRF Harness' Matt Rose with 52.28 points (197.98), 59.78 points ahead of the next closest rival.
The current standings are as follows:
Standings as of April 2, 2016 – Leg #6 |
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Pos |
Handicapper |
Total Points |
Points Earned |
Overall |
Position |
Points |
1st |
Jay Hochstetler |
240.20 |
42.90 |
283.10 |
1st |
– |
2nd |
Mark Deutsch |
98.15 |
112.00 |
210.15 |
9th |
72.95 |
3rd |
Matt Rose |
145.70 |
52.28 |
197.98 |
2nd |
85.13 |
4th |
Dennis O'Hara |
113.30 |
24.90 |
138.20 |
5th |
144.90 |
5th |
Rusty Nash |
98.48 |
39.00 |
137.48 |
7th |
145.63 |
6th |
Anne Stepien |
104.83 |
29.10 |
133.93 |
6th |
149.18 |
7th |
Adam Friedland |
120.28 |
13.60 |
133.88 |
4th |
149.23 |
8th |
Bryan Owen |
123.90 |
6.80 |
130.70 |
3rd |
152.40 |
9th |
Sally Hinckley |
75.20 |
50.\25 |
125.45 |
12th |
157.65 |
10th |
Gordon Waterstone |
94.25 |
30.90 |
125.15 |
10th |
157.95 |
11th |
Joe Bengston |
61.40 |
58.10 |
119.50 |
13th |
163.60 |
12th |
Russ Adams |
98.30 |
13.70 |
112.00 |
8th |
171.10 |
13th |
Ray Garnett |
79.80 |
11.20 |
91.00 |
11th |
192.10 |
14th |
Michael Carter |
49.58 |
28.90 |
78.48 |
14th |
204.63 |
15th |
Ray Cotolo |
43.30 |
16.20 |
59.50 |
15th |
223.60 |
Fans following the Grand Circuit this year now have another handicapping tool in their arsenal as this past week saw the introduction of Harness Trip Notes (HTN) for the Grand Circuit. For those unfamiliar with HTN, it may be considered a supplement to the race program; not a replacement. HTN are free and may be found at http://www.harnesstripnotes.
The 2016 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge continues with the fourth round of the Matchmaker and Levy Memorial series at Yonkers Raceway on Friday (4/8) and Saturday (4/9). For further information regarding the contest, you may visit http://hanaharnesscontest.
Allan Schott
HANA Harness Racing Coordinator