Cotolo has big week in Handicapping Contest

(May 10, 2016) – Following a bye week, Ray Cotolo had a big weeked earning 71.4 points and moving from 8th to 4th place in week seven of the 2016 harness racing 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. While Cotolo made a big move, Jay Hochstetler remains in front, lengthening his lead slightly.

Saturday was an Afternoon Delight for Cotolo as he reined in Dazzling Dollars ($22.60) in the Lady Suffolk at Freehold Raceway, earning 41.6 points for the afternoon. A duo of handicappers, Russ Adams and Mark Deutsch, tabbed 78-1 Curikee who finished third in the distaff stake earning 18 points a piece. Joe Bengston scored 16.2 points with his second place finisher Southwind Hope.

While not the top handicapper on Sunday, Cotolo managed to earn 29.8 points on Sunday, nailing Solar Sister ($12.40) in the Chip Noble Memorial along with second place finisher Charmed Life in the Miami Valley Distaff. The top handicapper on Sunday was Rusty Nash who scored a Place-3 with second place finishes in the two Miami Valley stakes and the Elitlopp Playoff at the Meadowlands earning 30 points. Other handicappers who had good Sundays were Michael Carter (26.9 points), Adam Friedland (29.8), and Ray Garnett (23.6).

Following the weekend’s action, the standings are as follows:

May 8, 2016 – Leg #13
Pos	Handicapper	Total Points Prior Week	Points Earned This Week	Overall Total Points	Position Last Week	Points Back
1st	Jay Hochstetler	389.75	19.00	408.75	1st	–
2nd	Matt Rose	289.63	6.80	296.43	2nd	112.33
3rd	Mark Deutsch	267.45	27.60	295.05	3rd	113.70
4th	Ray Cotolo	198.78	71.40	270.18	8th	138.58
5th	Dennis O'Hara	227.13	15.30	242.43	4th	166.33
6th	Anne Stepien	210.50	22.10	232.60	6th	176.15
7th	Adam Friedland	202.53	29.80	232.33	7th	176.43
8th	Ray Garnett	198.33	32.40	230.73	9th	178.03
9th	Gordon Waterstone	215.20	15.30	230.50	5th	178.25
10th	Russ Adams	192.60	23.00	215.60	10th	193.15
11th	Rusty Nash	183.18	30.00	213.18	13th	195.58
12th	Sally Hinckley	186.18	8.80	194.98	11th	213.78
13th	Bryan Owen	185.25	8.80	194.05	12th	214.70
14th	Joe Bengston	171.90	16.20	188.10	14th	220.65
15th	Michael Carter	149.10	26.90	176.00	15th	232.75

This week, the Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge heads north of the border to Flamboro Downs where the primary race contest will be the Confederation Cup on Sunday, May 15.  Since there is only one Grand Circuit race on the card, the handicappers will have the opportunity to wager on additional one or two high-level overnight races on the card.

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

Allan Schott