Rusty Nash scored a hat trick Sunday evening to be the top harness racing handicapper in week eight of the 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 by tabbing the winner of the Confederation Cup and two Preferreds on the Flamboro Downs Sunday night program. Jay Hochstetler remains comfortably perched on the top of the overall standings leading the pack by 108.3 points.
The two Preferred races were added to the contest as the rules allow for up to two higher class non-Grand Circuit races to be added when only one Grand Circuit race is on the card.
With the selection of Big Rich ($4.10), Woggy Rocks ($5.10), and Confederation Cup winning Rockin Ron ($3.60), Nash earned 38.25 points for the week. Dennis O'Hara, who stuck with Wiggle It Jiggleit, was second-best earning 26.85 points. Following close behind were Michael Carter (19.1) and Gordon Waterstone (18.63).
Following Sunday’s action, the standings are as follows:
May 15, 2016 – Leg #14 |
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Pos |
Handicapper |
Total Points |
Points Earned |
Overall |
Position |
Points |
1st |
Jay Hochstetler |
408.75 |
11.30 |
420.05 |
1st |
– |
2nd |
Mark Deutsch |
295.05 |
16.70 |
311.75 |
3rd |
108.30 |
3rd |
Matt Rose |
296.43 |
5.70 |
302.13 |
2nd |
117.93 |
4th |
Ray Cotolo |
270.18 |
13.90 |
284.08 |
4th |
135.98 |
5th |
Dennis O'Hara |
242.43 |
26.85 |
269.28 |
5th |
150.78 |
6th |
Rusty Nash |
213.18 |
38.25 |
251.43 |
11th |
168.63 |
7th |
Gordon Waterstone |
230.50 |
18.63 |
249.13 |
9th |
170.93 |
8th |
Ray Garnett |
230.73 |
12.10 |
242.83 |
8th |
177.23 |
9th |
Adam Friedland |
232.33 |
9.70 |
242.03 |
7th |
178.03 |
10th |
Anne Stepien |
232.60 |
5.00 |
237.60 |
6th |
182.45 |
11th |
Russ Adams |
215.60 |
11.00 |
226.60 |
10th |
193.45 |
12th |
Bryan Owen |
194.05 |
5.70 |
199.75 |
13th |
220.30 |
13th |
Sally Hinckley |
194.98 |
2.10 |
197.08 |
12th |
222.98 |
14th |
Michael Carter |
176.00 |
19.10 |
195.10 |
15th |
224.95 |
15th |
Joe Bengston |
188.10 |
0.00 |
188.10 |
14th |
231.95 |
This coming Saturday, contest races are the first leg of the Graduate Series for trotters and pacers at Meadowlands Racing and Gaming as well as The Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park. Following Saturday’s races, upcoming events are the Miss Versatility trot (5/23) at Mohawk Raceway, the Molson Pace (5/27) at Western Fair, and the Art Rooney and Lismore (5/28) at Yonkers Raceway.
For further information regarding the HANA Harness-administered contest, you may visit http://
Allan Schott