Hochstetler remains on top Handicapping Challenge

(April 17, 2016) – After five weeks 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, Jay Hochstetler remains in front; the position he has held since day one.

Hochstetler has an 88.05-point lead over the second place handicapper Mark Deutsch with a score of 352.7 points. Sitting in the third position is Matt Rose, 95.08 points behind the leader. At this early stage, this trio has gapped the balance of the field as 62.5 points separates the third and fourth positions.

With favorites dominating this weekend's action, there was little movement in the standings with Dennis O'Hara leading the pack earning 29.08 points, enough to move from seventh to fourth as well as claiming the title of 'Weekly Leader'. O'Hara was one of seven handicappers who managed to score 20 points or more this weekend, with the balance of Club 20 being Hochstetler (25.98 points), Ray Garnett (24.5), Gordon Waterstone (24.2), Anne Stepien (23.7), Michael Carter (22.4), and Rusty Nash (20.3).

The same group of horses meet up next week for Finals and Consolations of the Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy Memorial Series, so it's unlikely there will be any breakouts this coming week. Once the Grand Circuit schedule heads into the field, one can expect some big moves.

The current standings are as follows:

Standings as of April 16, 2016 – Leg #10
Pos	Handicapper	Total Points Prior Week	Points Earned This Week	Overall Total Points	Position Last Week	Points Back
1st	Jay Hochstetler	326.73	25.98	352.70	1st	–
2nd	Mark Deutsch	245.93	18.73	264.65	2nd	88.05
3rd	Matt Rose	240.33	17.30	257.63	3rd	95.08
4th	Dennis O'Hara	166.05	29.08	195.13	7th	157.58
5th	Ray Cotolo	178.18	9.80	187.98	4th	164.73
6th	Adam Friedland	169.63	16.00	185.63	6th	167.08
7th	Anne Stepien	161.90	23.70	185.60	9th	167.10
8th	Russ Adams	177.10	5.00	182.10	5th	170.60
9th	Sally Hinckley	162.40	16.08	178.48	8th	174.23
10th	Gordon Waterstone	149.90	24.20	174.10	11th	178.60
11th	Rusty Nash	151.38	20.30	171.68	10th	181.03
12th	Ray Garnett	144.43	24.50	168.93	13th	183.78
13th	Bryan Owen	144.70	7.50	152.20	12th	200.50
14th	Joe Bengston	143.70	0.00	143.70	14th	209.00
15th	Michael Carter	107.40	22.40	129.80	15th	222.90

The 2016 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge continues with the finals and consolations of the Matchmaker and Levy Memorial series at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday, March 23. After a week off, the competition heads to Freehold Raceway, Miami Valley Raceway, and the Meadowlands for more early season stakes action the following weekend. For further information regarding the contest, you may visit http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com.

by Allan Schott, for HAHA