Nash scores hat trick in handicapping contest

Rusty Nash scored a hat trick Sunday evening to be the top harness racing handicapper in week eight 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 by tabbing the winner of the Confederation Cup and two Preferreds on the Flamboro Downs Sunday night program. Jay Hochstetler remains comfortably perched on the top of the overall standings leading the pack by 108.3 points.

The two Preferred races were added to the contest as the rules allow for up to two higher class non-Grand Circuit races to be added when only one Grand Circuit race is on the card.

With the selection of Big Rich ($4.10), Woggy Rocks ($5.10), and Confederation Cup winning Rockin Ron ($3.60), Nash earned 38.25 points for the week. Dennis O'Hara, who stuck with Wiggle It Jiggleit, was second-best earning 26.85 points. Following close behind were Michael Carter (19.1) and Gordon Waterstone (18.63).

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

May 15, 2016 – Leg #14
Pos	Handicapper	Total Points Prior Week	Points Earned This Week	Overall Total Points	Position Last Week	Points Back
1st	Jay Hochstetler	408.75	11.30	420.05	1st	–
2nd	Mark Deutsch	295.05	16.70	311.75	3rd	108.30
3rd	Matt Rose	296.43	5.70	302.13	2nd	117.93
4th	Ray Cotolo	270.18	13.90	284.08	4th	135.98
5th	Dennis O'Hara	242.43	26.85	269.28	5th	150.78
6th	Rusty Nash	213.18	38.25	251.43	11th	168.63
7th	Gordon Waterstone	230.50	18.63	249.13	9th	170.93
8th	Ray Garnett	230.73	12.10	242.83	8th	177.23
9th	Adam Friedland	232.33	9.70	242.03	7th	178.03
10th	Anne Stepien	232.60	5.00	237.60	6th	182.45
11th	Russ Adams	215.60	11.00	226.60	10th	193.45
12th	Bryan Owen	194.05	5.70	199.75	13th	220.30
13th	Sally Hinckley	194.98	2.10	197.08	12th	222.98
14th	Michael Carter	176.00	19.10	195.10	15th	224.95
15th	Joe Bengston	188.10	0.00	188.10	14th	231.95

 

This coming Saturday, contest races are the first leg of the Graduate Series for trotters and pacers at Meadowlands Racing and Gaming as well as The Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park.  Following Saturday’s races, upcoming events are the Miss Versatility trot (5/23) at Mohawk Raceway, the Molson Pace (5/27) at Western Fair, and the Art Rooney and Lismore (5/28) at Yonkers Raceway. 

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

Allan Schott