(July 31, 2016) – While Jay Hochstetler remains firmly ensconced in the lead 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, the 18 race smorgasbord known as Adios weekend at The Meadows scrambled the rest of the leaderboard with handicappers exchanging positions below the top spot. One of those handicappers, last year's champion Sally Hinckley moved from 13th to 6th place by virtue of her 318.65 points, to earn the title of 'best handicapper' for the week
Other handicappers making big moves this weekend were Adam Friedland whose 312.63 points moved him up 2 slots from 4th to 2nd place and Michael Carter whose 255.3 points moved him from 8th to 5th. Of note are other handicappers who scored 200 plus points this weekend, Rusty Nash (203.4) and Matt Rose (213.73).
Hinckley was prolific both days, scoring 170.2 points on Friday with 5 out of 6 winners including Youvegotwhatittakes ($15.60) and Muay Hanover ($17.40) following it up with 7 winners on Saturday good for 148.45 points. While Friedland's performance was unremarkable on Friday, Saturday was another story tabbing 8 out of 12 races for the day which earned him 276.9 points.
At the conclusion of Adios week, here are the standings:
July 30, 2016 – Leg #35 |
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Pos |
Handicapper |
Total Points |
Points Earned |
Overall |
Position |
Points |
1st |
Jay Hochstetler |
1,481.45 |
155.08 |
1,636.53 |
1st |
– |
2nd |
Adam Friedland |
784.18 |
312.63 |
1,096.80 |
4th |
539.73 |
3rd |
Russ Adams |
970.33 |
91.28 |
1,061.60 |
2nd |
574.93 |
4th |
Rusty Nash |
850.05 |
203.40 |
1,053.45 |
3rd |
583.08 |
5th |
Michael Carter |
733.10 |
255.30 |
988.40 |
8th |
648.13 |
6th |
Sally Hinckley |
632.78 |
318.65 |
951.43 |
13th |
685.10 |
7th |
Dennis O'Hara |
742.75 |
199.80 |
942.55 |
7th |
693.98 |
8th |
Gordon Waterstone |
770.13 |
168.40 |
938.53 |
6th |
698.00 |
9th |
Mark Deutsch |
783.95 |
113.05 |
897.00 |
5th |
739.53 |
10th |
Matt Rose |
668.53 |
213.73 |
882.25 |
11th |
754.28 |
11th |
Bryan Owen |
696.85 |
119.00 |
815.85 |
10th |
820.68 |
12th |
Joe Bengston |
661.65 |
125.63 |
787.28 |
12th |
849.25 |
13th |
Anne Stepien |
723.60 |
57.20 |
780.80 |
9th |
855.73 |
14th |
Ray Cotolo |
556.80 |
116.98 |
673.78 |
14th |
962.75 |
15th |
Ray Garnett |
537.98 |
110.30 |
648.28 |
15th |
988.25 |
The Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge moves to the Meadowlands on Saturday afternoon for its Hambletonian Day extravaganza with the Hambletonian (3yo Open Trot), Hambletonian Oaks (3yo Filly Trot), Cane Pace (3yo C&G Pace), Shady Daisy (3yo Filly Pace), Jim Doherty Memorial (2yo Filly Trot), Peter Haughton Memorial (2yo C&G Trot), Fresh Yankee (Filly and Mare Trot), John Cashman Memorial (Open Trot), Lady Liberty (Filly & Mare Pace), and US Pacing Championship (Open Pace).
Racing fans may continue getting the handicappers’ selections and other contest-related information from HANA Harness’ contest website http://hanaharnesscontest.
Allan Schott
HANA Harness Racing Coordinator