(November 13, 2016) – Mark Deutsch is the top harness racing handicapper for the week of November 6, besting Gordon Waterstone (58.65 vs. 54.95) 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 the handicappers took their shot at the Matron Stakes at Dover Downs and the TVG Finals at the Meadowlands.
With only three more contest dates remaining on the slate, Jay Hochstetler continues on his victory lap as he is the top overall handicapper in the competition, leading the rest of the handicappers by over 617 points.
While the champion is a foregone conclusion, there is still a race for second half honors and the $250 prize for the leader's standardbred rescue as Matt Rose leads Hochstetler by 69.24 points.
Although Hochstetler will win the championship, the race for second and third is still being contested as those who finish in those positions earn prize funds for their rescues. At the present time, Rose has a comfortable lead in the place spot while Sally Hinckley has a 130-point lead over the rest of the field in third place. While it would require an extraordinary effort coupled with Hinckley faltering, Gordon Waterstone and Adam Friedland do remain in range of the third spot.
The contest moves on to Woodbine Racetrack for the Final Four stakes for two year olds (Governor's Cup, Goldsmith Maid, Three Diamonds, Valley Victory) on Saturday, November 19. Afterwards, the contest returns stateside for the final two stakes of the season, the Courageous Lady at Northfield Park (Nov. 26), and the Progress Stake at Dover Downs (Nov. 28).
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.
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2nd Half and Overall Standings |
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|
Position |
Handicapper |
Points This Week |
Total Points |
Points Back |
Overall Position |
Overall Points |
Overall Points Back |
|
1st |
Matt Rose |
14.50 |
1,860.68 |
0.00 |
2nd |
2962.73 |
617.81 |
|
2nd |
Jay Hochstetler (FHW) |
28.58 |
1,791.43 |
69.24 |
1st |
3580.53 |
0.00 |
|
3rd |
Sally Hinckley |
37.75 |
1,700.21 |
160.47 |
3rd |
2870.08 |
710.45 |
|
4th |
Gordon Waterstone |
54.95 |
1,568.91 |
291.77 |
5th |
2737.39 |
843.15 |
|
5th |
Adam Friedland |
44.58 |
1,462.58 |
398.10 |
6th |
2708.73 |
871.81 |
|
6th |
Dennis O'Hara |
38.95 |
1,450.98 |
409.70 |
7th |
2627.88 |
952.66 |
|
7th |
Ray Garnett |
39.35 |
1,448.83 |
411.85 |
12th |
2237.60 |
1,342.93 |
|
8th |
Rusty Nash |
15.60 |
1,444.96 |
415.72 |
4th |
2741.11 |
839.43 |
|
9th |
Russ Adams |
30.18 |
1,424.68 |
436.00 |
8th |
2605.60 |
974.93 |
|
10th |
Anne Stepien |
37.20 |
1,417.73 |
442.95 |
10th |
2354.23 |
1,226.31 |
|
11th |
Mark Deutsch |
58.65 |
1,289.43 |
571.25 |
11th |
2267.63 |
1,312.91 |
|
12th |
Michael Carter |
4.20 |
1,262.73 |
597.95 |
9th |
2355.28 |
1,225.26 |
|
13th |
Bryan Owen |
22.40 |
1,167.60 |
693.08 |
13th |
2144.88 |
1,435.66 |
|
14th |
Ray Cotolo |
28.80 |
1,133.55 |
727.13 |
14th |
1929.08 |
1,651.46 |
|
15th |
Joe Bengston |
51.80 |
804.18 |
1056.50 |
15th |
1719.53 |
1,861.01 |
Allan Schott
HANA Harness Racing Coordinator
Check out the HANA Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge
