Hochstetler draws first blood in Contest

Jay Hochstetler kicked off the start 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 aided by his selection of Mach It Par ($81.00) in Friday night’s harness racing Blue Chip Matchmaker Series opener.  After the first two evenings, Hochstetler has a total of 164.90 points, 86.20 points over his nearest rival.

With the addition of another Silver Sponsor, Dr. Adam Friedland, the total prize fund for the HANA Harness-sponsored event to be donated to the lucky standardbred rescues stands at an all-time record of $6,000.

A couple of handicappers are late additions to the contest, Joe Bengston and Adam Friedland will be representing Therapeutic Riding and Off-Track Rehabilitation (TROTR) and Helping Hearts Equine Rescue respectively.  A full list of the rescues and their handicappers may be found here.

On Friday evening, while Sally Hinckley and Dennis O’Hara earned points in all three divisions of the Matchmaker earning 26.60 points, their results were overshadowed by Hochstetler who 111.40 points, of which 107.80 points came from Mach It Par. 

Saturday evening there was a quintet of handicappers (Friedland – 48.80 points; Hochstetler – 53.50; Bryan Owen – 54.20; Matt Rose – 58.30; Gordon Waterstone – 46.95) who scored three winners in the George Morton Memorial Series opener.  While trailing in the number of winners, Mark Deutsch with 2 winners, earned points in all six divisions of the Levy totaling 50.93 points allowing him to keep pace with the top scorers for the evening.

After the first two nights, here are the complete standings.

Position	Handicapper	Total Points Prior Week	Points Earned This Week	Overall Total Points	Points Back
1st	Jay Hochstetler	0.00	164.90	164.90	–
2nd	Matt Rose	0.00	78.70	78.70	86.20
3rd	Adam Friedland	0.00	75.40	75.40	89.50
4th	Bryan Owen	0.00	71.60	71.60	93.30
5th	Gordon Waterstone	0.00	58.55	58.55	106.35
6th	Ray Garnett	0.00	57.20	57.20	107.70
7th	Rusty Nash	0.00	56.65	56.65	108.25
8th	Mark Deutsch	0.00	54.53	54.53	110.38
9th	Anne Stepien	0.00	54.23	54.23	110.68
10th	Dennis O'Hara	0.00	54.20	54.20	110.70
11th	Sally Hinckley	0.00	44.80	44.80	120.10
12th	Ray Cotolo	0.00	26.80	26.80	138.10
13th	Russ Adams	0.00	21.60	21.60	143.30
14th	Joe Bengston	0.00	17.70	17.70	147.20
15th	Michael Carter	0.00	15.30	15.30	149.60

 

The 2016 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge continues with the second round of the Matchmaker and Levy Memorial series at Yonkers Raceway on Friday (3/25) and Saturday (3/26). 

For further information regarding the contest, you may visit http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com.

Allan Schott

HANA Harness Racing Coordinator

Check out the HANA Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge