(May 10, 2016) – Following a bye week, Ray Cotolo had a big weeked earning 71.4 points and moving from 8th to 4th place in week seven of the 2016 harness racing 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. While Cotolo made a big move, Jay Hochstetler remains in front, lengthening his lead slightly.
Saturday was an Afternoon Delight for Cotolo as he reined in Dazzling Dollars ($22.60) in the Lady Suffolk at Freehold Raceway, earning 41.6 points for the afternoon. A duo of handicappers, Russ Adams and Mark Deutsch, tabbed 78-1 Curikee who finished third in the distaff stake earning 18 points a piece. Joe Bengston scored 16.2 points with his second place finisher Southwind Hope.
While not the top handicapper on Sunday, Cotolo managed to earn 29.8 points on Sunday, nailing Solar Sister ($12.40) in the Chip Noble Memorial along with second place finisher Charmed Life in the Miami Valley Distaff. The top handicapper on Sunday was Rusty Nash who scored a Place-3 with second place finishes in the two Miami Valley stakes and the Elitlopp Playoff at the Meadowlands earning 30 points. Other handicappers who had good Sundays were Michael Carter (26.9 points), Adam Friedland (29.8), and Ray Garnett (23.6).
Following the weekend’s action, the standings are as follows:
May 8, 2016 – Leg #13 |
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Pos |
Handicapper |
Total Points |
Points Earned |
Overall |
Position |
Points |
1st |
Jay Hochstetler |
389.75 |
19.00 |
408.75 |
1st |
– |
2nd |
Matt Rose |
289.63 |
6.80 |
296.43 |
2nd |
112.33 |
3rd |
Mark Deutsch |
267.45 |
27.60 |
295.05 |
3rd |
113.70 |
4th |
Ray Cotolo |
198.78 |
71.40 |
270.18 |
8th |
138.58 |
5th |
Dennis O'Hara |
227.13 |
15.30 |
242.43 |
4th |
166.33 |
6th |
Anne Stepien |
210.50 |
22.10 |
232.60 |
6th |
176.15 |
7th |
Adam Friedland |
202.53 |
29.80 |
232.33 |
7th |
176.43 |
8th |
Ray Garnett |
198.33 |
32.40 |
230.73 |
9th |
178.03 |
9th |
Gordon Waterstone |
215.20 |
15.30 |
230.50 |
5th |
178.25 |
10th |
Russ Adams |
192.60 |
23.00 |
215.60 |
10th |
193.15 |
11th |
Rusty Nash |
183.18 |
30.00 |
213.18 |
13th |
195.58 |
12th |
Sally Hinckley |
186.18 |
8.80 |
194.98 |
11th |
213.78 |
13th |
Bryan Owen |
185.25 |
8.80 |
194.05 |
12th |
214.70 |
14th |
Joe Bengston |
171.90 |
16.20 |
188.10 |
14th |
220.65 |
15th |
Michael Carter |
149.10 |
26.90 |
176.00 |
15th |
232.75 |
This week, the Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge heads north of the border to Flamboro Downs where the primary race contest will be the Confederation Cup on Sunday, May 15. Since there is only one Grand Circuit race on the card, the handicappers will have the opportunity to wager on additional one or two high-level overnight races on the card.
For further information regarding the contest, you may visit http://
Allan Schott