Sunday, July 31, 2016

Adios Weekend Scrambles Standings in Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge


(July 31, 2016) – While Jay Hochstetler remains firmly ensconced in the lead 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, the 18 race smorgasbord known as Adios weekend at The Meadows scrambled the rest of the leaderboard with handicappers exchanging positions below the top spot.  One of those handicappers, last year’s champion Sally Hinckley moved from 13th to 6th place by virtue of her 318.65 points, to earn the title of ‘best handicapper’ for the week

Other handicappers making big moves this weekend were Adam Friedland whose 312.63 points moved him up 2 slots from 4th to 2nd place and Michael Carter whose 255.3 points moved him from 8th to 5th.  Of note are other handicappers who scored 200 plus points this weekend, Rusty Nash (203.4) and Matt Rose (213.73).

Hinckley was prolific both days, scoring 170.2 points on Friday with 5 out of 6 winners including Youvegotwhatittakes ($15.60) and Muay Hanover ($17.40) following it up with 7 winners on Saturday good for 148.45 points.  While Friedland’s performance was unremarkable on Friday, Saturday was another story tabbing 8 out of 12 races for the day which earned him 276.9 points.

At the conclusion of Adios week, here are the standings:

July 30, 2016 - Leg #35
Pos
Handicapper
Total Points
Prior Week
Points Earned
This Week
Overall
Total Points
Position
Last
Week
Points
Back
1st
Jay Hochstetler
1,481.45
155.08
1,636.53
1st
 -
2nd
Adam Friedland
784.18
312.63
1,096.80
4th
               539.73
3rd
Russ Adams
970.33
91.28
1,061.60
2nd
               574.93
4th
Rusty Nash
850.05
203.40
1,053.45
3rd
               583.08
5th
Michael Carter
733.10
255.30
988.40
8th
               648.13
6th
Sally Hinckley
632.78
318.65
951.43
13th
               685.10
7th
Dennis O'Hara
742.75
199.80
942.55
7th
               693.98
8th
Gordon Waterstone
770.13
168.40
938.53
6th
               698.00
9th
Mark Deutsch
783.95
113.05
897.00
5th
               739.53
10th
Matt Rose
668.53
213.73
882.25
11th
               754.28
11th
Bryan Owen
696.85
119.00
815.85
10th
               820.68
12th
Joe Bengston
661.65
125.63
787.28
12th
               849.25
13th
Anne Stepien
723.60
57.20
780.80
9th
               855.73
14th
Ray Cotolo
556.80
116.98
673.78
14th
               962.75
15th
Ray Garnett
537.98
110.30
648.28
15th
               988.25


The Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge moves to the Meadowlands on Saturday afternoon for its Hambletonian Day extravaganza with the Hambletonian (3yo Open Trot), Hambletonian Oaks (3yo Filly Trot), Cane Pace (3yo C&G Pace), Shady Daisy (3yo Filly Pace), Jim Doherty Memorial (2yo Filly Trot), Peter Haughton Memorial (2yo C&G Trot), Fresh Yankee (Filly and Mare Trot), John Cashman Memorial (Open Trot), Lady Liberty (Filly & Mare Pace), and US Pacing Championship (Open Pace).

Racing fans may continue getting the handicappers’ selections and other contest-related information from HANA Harness’ contest website  http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com.


Monday, July 25, 2016

Hochstetler Juggernaut Roles on in Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge


(July 25, 2016) – Another week, another impressive performance by Jay Hochstetler in 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, as Hochstetler padded his overall lead with 310.23 points, good for a seasonal total of 1,481.45.  With the weekend’s action concluded, this leaves Hochstetler 511.13 points ahead of his nearest competitor, Russ Adams who sits in second place with a total of 970.33 points.

While Hochstetler topped the field for weekly honors, second place honors for the weekend goes to Joe Bengston whose 248.75 points moved him from last to 12th place.  Show honors belong to Russ Adams with 126.25, nosing out Anne Stepien’s 121.2.

The tone for the weekend was set Friday evening (July 22) when Bengston and Hochstetler both tabbed Kindergarten Winner Muscles Jared ($80.40).  While Hochstetler had three winners on the evening’s program to Bengtson’s two, the latter added Sunshine Delight ($25.60) to his winning tally allowing him to win the evening 208.05 to 205.05.   Continuing his hot streak, Hochstetler was a perfect four for four Saturday (7/23) evening allowing him to add another 72.8 to his tally while Adams responded Sunday night (7/24) nailing three of six at Vernon Downs, including Zweig Filly Stake Champion Flower N Songs ($18.40), adding another 87.75 points to his total.

At the conclusion of the weekend’s racing action, here are the standings:

July 24, 2016 - Leg #33
Pos
Handicapper
Total Points
Prior Week
Points Earned
This Week
Overall
Total Points
Position
Last
Week
Points
Back
1st
Jay Hochstetler
1,171.23
310.23
1,481.45
1st
 -
2nd
Russ Adams
844.08
126.25
970.33
2nd
         511.13
3rd
Rusty Nash
769.40
80.65
850.05
3rd
         631.40
4th
Adam Friedland
722.30
61.88
784.18
5th
         697.28
5th
Mark Deutsch
725.35
58.60
783.95
4th
         697.50
6th
Gordon Waterstone
701.90
68.23
770.13
6th
         711.33
7th
Dennis O'Hara
664.20
78.55
742.75
7th
         738.70
8th
Michael Carter
637.60
95.50
733.10
8th
         748.35
9th
Anne Stepien
602.40
121.20
723.60
11th
         757.85
10th
Bryan Owen
613.73
83.13
696.85
9th
         784.60
11th
Matt Rose
606.63
61.90
668.53
10th
         812.93
12th
Joe Bengston
412.90
248.75
661.65
15th
         819.80
13th
Sally Hinckley
554.03
78.75
632.78
12th
         848.68
14th
Ray Cotolo
506.28
50.53
556.80
13th
         924.65
15th
Ray Garnett
469.38
68.60
537.98
14th
         943.48


As the mid-way point of the contest approaches on August 14, it looks like Hochstetler will easily be the first half champion, earning his rescue a $250 award.

Contest action resumes Friday (7/29) and Saturday (7/30) with Adios weekend at The Meadows with multiple tilts of the Arden Downs plus the Adioo Volo and The Adios in addition to Reynolds action for 3yo colt and gelding trotters at the Meadowlands.  The contest then moves on to August 6 for the Hambletonian Day card at the Meadowlands.


Racing fans may continue getting the handicappers’ selections and other contest-related information from HANA Harness’ contest website  http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com.