(July 23, 2017) – Steve Horoky was the top harness racing handicapper for the weekend of July 21-22 in the Hambletonian Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge by earning 67 points, besting Anne Stepien by 5 points with her 62 points. Rusty Nash finished third for the week with 50 which allowed him to retake the overall lead by the largest margin of the season.
Horoky owes his victory thanks to a trio of winners (Seven Iron, $6; Grand Teton, $6.20; Kissin In The Sand $3.20) and a couple of second place finishes in the Kindergarten Classic series at the Meadowlands Friday evening which gave him first place for the evening with an $18.00 net profit. Also with three winners were Nash who finished second with a profit of $11.60 while Russ Adams landed in third with his $8.00 profit.
Saturday evening, the Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace from Saratoga Raceway was the sole race on the card and the victory of Bit Of Legend N ($32.20) was a surprise to all but handicapper Anne Stepien who took down the longshot for first place honors for the night. A quintet of handicappers dead-heated for second as Boston Red Socks took show honors to salvage the card for them.
Nash’s overall performance the weekend places him in first with 591.95 points, approximately 40 points ahead of Matt Rose’s 552,13 pts. Megan Maccario remains in third place with 525.48 points while Russ Adams completes the superfecta with 499.12.
Standings as of Saturday, July 22, 2017 – Leg #32 |
|||||
Pos |
Handicapper |
Total Points Earned |
Legs Won |
Last Week |
Streak |
1st |
Rusty Nash |
591.95 |
6 |
2nd |
1 |
2nd |
Matt Rose |
552.13 |
6 |
1st |
|
3rd |
Megan Maccario |
525.48 |
5 |
3rd |
|
4th |
Russ Adams |
499.12 |
5 |
4th |
|
5th |
Gordon Waterstone |
469.75 |
5 |
5th |
|
6th |
Sally Hinckley |
452.98 |
5 |
6th |
|
7th |
Ray Garnett |
436.86 |
3 |
7th |
|
8th |
Dennis O’Hara |
435.68 |
5 |
8th |
|
9th |
Steve Horoky |
402.41 |
2 |
9th |
|
10th |
Anne Stepien |
356.15 |
4 |
12th |
|
11th |
Jay Hochstetler |
322.75 |
3 |
10th |
|
12th |
Terry Wilson |
319.47 |
3 |
11th |
|
13th |
Michael Carter |
298.03 |
3 |
13th |
|
14th |
Bryan Owen |
270.23 |
2 |
14th |
|
15th |
Adam Friedland |
262.80 |
1 |
15th |
|
16th |
Ray Cotolo |
196.33 |
1 |
16th |
Next Up: The Handicapping Challenge heads to Western Pennsylvania with Friday’s slate of Arden Downs races for 2yo trotters. In addition, the Grand Circuit Challenge visits Plainridge Park for their inaugural Spirit of Massachusetts for Open Trotters. Saturday afternoon, the series returns to the Meadows for the Adios and Adioo Volo for 3yo trotters plus the Arden Downs for 2yo pacers while the Meadowlands takes center stage in the evening, hosting the Reynolds for 3yo trotters plus the Hambletonian Oaks eliminations. The following week, the Meadowlands Hambletonian Day card takes center stage.
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.
Allan Schott
HANA Harness Racing Coordinator