New
Handicappers and Canadian Rescues Added
(March 8, 2017) – With
a little over a week to go before the first leg of the 2017 Hambletonian
Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge, this year’s handicappers have
made their selections of rescues to represent, attempting to win needed funds
for their deserving groups.
With former
participants ‘retiring’ from the handicapping challenge, three new handicappers
join the fray. Steve Horoky has been a fan for long time, getting actively involved
by claiming his first horse at Hiawatha Park in Sarnia before concluding his
active career in the sport as an owner/trainer at the old Windsor Raceway. Megan
Maccario was born into the industry as her family has been long time owners
racing in New York and New Jersey. Megan
is currently the lead harness and New York thoroughbred racing correspondent
for Pick Insider. Lastly,
Terry Wilson, a former owner of
standardbreds for 30 years on the Ontario circuit is now pleased to be ‘just a
fan’. All three are hoping to make a big
splash in their debuts.
With additional
Canadian sponsorship, each handicapper has selected an American Standardbred
rescue in addition to a Canadian adoption society to represent as Canadian
sponsorship fees will now be distributed in the same manner as American funds;
donations going to the rescues of the top three handicappers. The Canadian adoption societies Galahad,
Greener Acres, Morningstar Acres, Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society,
Performance Standardbreds, and Sadies Place span Canada from New Brunswick to
British Columbia. A new American rescue,
Future for Standardbreds makes its debut this year, joining the returning
American rescues. Some rescues handle
more than standardbreds; all donations are marked for Standardbred rescue use
only.
The following is a
list of handicappers along with their respective rescues. Fans are encouraged to learn more about these
rescues and to consider making a donation to one or more of them.
Handicapper
|
American Rescue
|
Canadian Rescue
|
Russ Adams
|
||
Michael Carter
|
||
Ray Cotolo
|
||
Adam Friedland
|
||
Ray Garnett
|
Greener Pastures
|
|
Sally Hinckley
|
||
Jay Hochstetler
|
||
Steve Horoky
|
||
Megan Maccario
|
||
Rusty Nash
|
Greener Pastures
|
|
Dennis O'Hara
|
||
Bryan Owen
|
||
Matt Rose
|
||
Anne Stepien
|
||
Gordon Waterstone
|
||
Terry Wilson
|
Last Call for Sponsors: Time is running out on becoming a
sponsor. Sponsorship opportunities
levels are available for as low as $100. Those still considering
to become a sponsor are encouraged to do so quickly. Information about
sponsorship may be found at http://tinyurl.com/hskso6k.
Next Up: The 2017 challenge opens up on Friday, March
17 with the opening leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at Yonkers
Raceway. The action continues Saturday
evening with the opening leg of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series
at the Hilltop oval.
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, and Wellbourne Farms. 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.
