Rescue selections made for 2017

(March 8, 2017) – With a little over a week to go before the first leg of the 2017 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge, this year's harness racing handicappers have made their selections of rescues to represent, attempting to win needed funds for their deserving groups.

With former participants 'retiring' from the handicapping challenge, three new handicappers join the fray. Steve Horoky has been a fan for long time, getting actively involved by claiming his first horse at Hiawatha Park in Sarnia before concluding his active career in the sport as an owner/trainer at the old Windsor Raceway. Megan Maccario was born into the industry as her family has been long time owners racing in New York and New Jersey. Megan is currently the lead harness and New York thoroughbred racing correspondent for Pick Insider. Lastly, Terry Wilson, a former owner of standardbreds for 30 years on the Ontario circuit is now pleased to be 'just a fan'. All three are hoping to make a big splash in their debuts.

With additional Canadian sponsorship, each handicapper has selected an American Standardbred rescue in addition to a Canadian adoption society to represent as Canadian sponsorship fees will now be distributed in the same manner as American funds; donations going to the rescues of the top three handicappers. The Canadian adoption societies Galahad, Greener Acres, Morningstar Acres, Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, Performance Standardbreds, and Sadies Place span Canada from New Brunswick to British Columbia. A new American rescue, Future for Standardbreds makes its debut this year, joining the returning American rescues. Some rescues handle more than standardbreds; all donations are marked for Standardbred rescue use only.

The following is a list of handicappers along with their respective rescues. Fans are encouraged to learn more about these rescues and to consider making a donation to one or more of them.

The following is a list of handicappers along with their respective rescues.  Fans are encouraged to learn more about these rescues and to consider making a donation to one or more of them.

Handicapper	American Rescue	Canadian Rescue
Russ Adams	Changing Fates Equine Rescue	Performance Standardbreds
Michael Carter	New Vocations	Morningstar Acres
Ray Cotolo	Racer Placers	Galahad
Adam Friedland	Future for Standardbreds	Sadies Place
Ray Garnett	Rockin T Equine Rescue	Greener Acres
Sally Hinckley	Helping Hearts Equine Rescue.	Morningstar Acres
Jay Hochstetler	Starting Gaits Standardbred Transition Program	Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society
Steve Horoky	Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals	Greener Acres
Megan Maccario	Rainhill Sanctuary.	Sadies Place
Rusty Nash	Heart of Phoenix	Greener Acres
Dennis O'Hara	Sunshine Horse Rescue.	Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society
Bryan Owen	Standardbred Retirement Foundation	Galahad
Matt Rose	Heading for Home	Morningstar Acres
Anne Stepien	Central Virginia Horse Rescue	Performance Standardbreds
Gordon Waterstone	Horse Lovers United	Galahad
Terry Wilson	TROTR; Therapeutic Riding and Off-Track Rehabilitation)	Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society

Last Call for Sponsors:  Time is running out on becoming a sponsor.  Sponsorship opportunities levels are available for as low as $100.  Those still considering to become a sponsor are encouraged to do so quickly. Information about sponsorship may be found at http://tinyurl.com/hskso6k.

Next Up:  The 2017 challenge opens up on Friday, March 17 with the opening leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at Yonkers Raceway.  The action continues Saturday evening with the opening leg of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series at the Hilltop oval.

The 2017 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge is sponsored by Adam Friedland, DRF Harness, Green Acquisition Corporation, The Hambletonian Society, Hoosier Park Racing and Casino, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, Northfield Park, Ontario Harness Horse Association, Red Shores Charlottetown/Summerside, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, and Wellbourne Farms.  The contest is administered by HANA Harness, the harness racing division of HANA, the Horseplayers Association of North America.  Fans may follow the challenge by visiting the contest site at http;//hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com. 

Allan Schott

HANA Harness Racing Coordinator

allan@hanaweb.org

 

Check out the HANA Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge