(September 25, 2016) – Concluding nine consecutive days of harness racing handicapping, the HANA Harness handicappers slogged their way through the last week 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, and when all was said and done, Dennis O'Hara took home top honors for the week with 206.65 points.
Finishing second for the week was Sally Hinckley with 184.6 points with overall leader Jay Hochstetler earning show honors with 149.88 points.
Despite the relatively poor showing for the week, Matt Rose remains in the top spot of the second-half leader board with 946.08 points, ahead of Russ Adams whose second half tally of 798.75 noses out Hochstetler's 794.33.
Overall, Hochstetler remains comfortably in front with 2,583.43 points, 535.3 ahead of Rose (2,048.13 pts.), followed by Adams (1,979.68 pts.).
There were no individual plays of note this week, but O’Hara put the week away with a perfect 6 for 6 on Saturday which earned him 105.3 of his 206.65 points for the week.
Hinckley and Michael Carter were one win behind with 5 out of 6 on their cards earning 78 and 74.8 points respectively.
2nd Half and Overall Standings |
|||||||
Position |
Handicapper |
Points This Week |
Total Points |
Points Back |
Overall Position |
Overall Points |
Overall Points Back |
1st |
Matt Rose |
74.90 |
946.08 |
– |
2nd |
2048.13 |
535.30 |
2nd |
Russ Adams |
85.10 |
798.75 |
147.33 |
3rd |
1979.68 |
603.75 |
3rd |
Jay Hochstetler (FHW) |
149.88 |
794.33 |
151.75 |
1st |
2583.43 |
– |
4th |
Sally Hinckley |
184.60 |
792.90 |
153.18 |
4th |
1962.78 |
620.65 |
5th |
Ray Garnett |
75.73 |
744.98 |
201.10 |
11th |
1533.75 |
1,049.68 |
6th |
Dennis O'Hara |
206.65 |
709.85 |
236.23 |
5th |
1886.75 |
696.68 |
7th |
Bryan Owen |
83.35 |
663.03 |
283.05 |
10th |
1640.30 |
943.13 |
8th |
Adam Friedland |
123.03 |
605.80 |
340.28 |
6th |
1851.95 |
731.48 |
9th |
Gordon Waterstone |
124.63 |
588.43 |
357.65 |
8th |
1756.90 |
826.53 |
10th |
Michael Carter |
140.48 |
568.13 |
377.95 |
9th |
1660.68 |
922.75 |
11th |
Mark Deutsch |
95.00 |
531.98 |
414.10 |
12th |
1510.18 |
1,073.25 |
12th |
Rusty Nash |
91.55 |
511.13 |
434.95 |
7th |
1807.28 |
776.15 |
13th |
Joe Bengston |
111.78 |
490.38 |
455.70 |
13th |
1405.73 |
1,177.70 |
14th |
Anne Stepien |
105.95 |
468.98 |
477.10 |
14th |
1405.48 |
1,177.95 |
15th |
Ray Cotolo |
96.70 |
448.65 |
497.43 |
15th |
1244.18 |
1,339.25 |
After this grueling period, the HANA Handicappers have an ‘easier’ week with races Thursday (9/29) thru Sunday (10/2) as the Grand Circuit visits The Red Mile with The Bluegrass Stakes for 2 and 3yo pacers and trotters of both sexes the feature event while at Dayton Raceway, older pacers and trotters will compete in the Dayton Pacing and Trotting Derbies.
Racing fans may continue getting the handicappers’ selections and other contest-related information such as the complete standings from HANA Harness’ contest website http://hanaharnesscontest.
Allan Schott
HANA Harness Racing Coordinator
Check out the HANA Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge