The opening two legs of the 2017 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge are in the books with Matt Rose and Rusty Nash sprinting to the early lead, each winning a leg. However, with more winners for the weekend, Rose takes a 76.5-67point lead over Nash as the total prize pool reaches a record $8,000 thanks to the added Gold Sponsorship of WEG Entertainment and the Silver Sponsorship of Aquaflow, LLC.
While the Levy tends to be the home of favorites, several of handicappers were undeterred in going against the anticipated chalk and they were successful. Hitting 2nd division winner Long Live Rock ($38.60) were Ray Cotolo, Ray Garnett, and Nash. Taking down 4th division winner Soto ($14.00) were Cotolo, Adam Friedland, Jay Hochstetler, Steve Horoky, Nash, Bryan Owen, and Rose.
In the near-miss category, Rose just missed a big price in the 3rd division of the Matchmaker on Friday evening when Hidden Land was bested by Regil Elektra in a photo. While denied the winning mutual, Rose picked up the place and show mutuels of $15 and $13 respectively, helping his net profit in the early going. In the net-profit competition, Nash ($58.90) leads Cotolo ($42.40) and Rose ($35.40).
Standings as of March 27, 2017 – Leg #4 |
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Pos |
Handicapper |
Total Points Earned |
Legs Won |
Overall Net Profit |
1st |
Matt Rose |
76.5 |
1 |
35.40 |
2nd |
Rusty Nash |
67.0 |
1 |
58.90 |
3rd |
Ray Cotolo |
37.0 |
0 |
42.40 |
4th |
Steve Horoky |
35.5 |
0 |
8.70 |
5th |
Dennis O’Hara |
35.5 |
0 |
(1.20) |
6th |
Adam Friedland |
28.5 |
0 |
12.40 |
7th |
Bryan Owen |
24.0 |
0 |
2.20 |
8th |
Ray Garnett |
19.0 |
0 |
18.20 |
9th |
Jay Hochstetler- |
19.0 |
0 |
9.80 |
10th |
Michael Carter |
19.0 |
0 |
(4.80) |
11th |
Russ Adams |
17.0 |
0 |
(14.00) |
12th |
Megan Maccario |
15.0 |
0 |
(6.00) |
13th |
Sally Hinckley |
9.0 |
0 |
(8.00) |
14th |
Anne Stepien |
9.0 |
0 |
(19.40) |
15th |
Gordon Waterstone |
9.0 |
0 |
(29.10) |
16th |
Terry Wilson |
9.0 |
0 |
(34.40) |
Next Up: The Challenge returns to Yonkers Raceway on Friday, March 24 for the second leg of the Matchmaker series while Saturday (5/25) is the second leg of the Levy Memorial.
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.
by Allan Schott, for HANA