(September 3, 2017) – In the closest finish this year in the Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge, Anne Stepien held off a late rush by Gordon Waterstone to win by a half point, 79.5 versus 79.0 points at the end of the contest slate of August 31-September 2. Rusty Nash finished back in third with 67.5 points. Despite stalling, Megan Maccario tops the standings for the fifth straight week, leading Rusty Nash by an overall score of 820.23-812.7. Off her performance this week, Stepien moves up three spots to land in fifth place.

With only two races on tap Thursday evening at Mohawk, there was a dead-heat for the evening's honors as Jay Hochstetler and Nash both tabbed Courtney Hanover ($4.90) in the first division of the Champlain for 2yo trotting fillies with their choice in the second division, Jordan Blue Chip finishing second.

On Friday night's card, Anne Stepien made her brush to the top by sweeping the two Simcoe tilts as well as the Simcoe, earning herself 65 points. Matt Rose finished second for the evening with two winners earning 35 points for the evening. While Waterstone had two winners as well, he finished out of the top five for the night settling for 12 points.

With nine races on tap Saturday thanks to a combined slate from Mohawk and Yonkers Raceway, Waterstone made his move by picking three winners for evening, earning earned 65 points thanks largely to his pick of Kendell Seelster ($21.80) in the first division of the Champlain for 2yo pacing fillies. Ray Cotolo, who has picked up his tempo of late finishing second for the evening earning 40 points with Maccario, who despite having four winners for the night, settling for third and 32 points. Stepien with two winners for the evening managed to earn 12 points, just enough to hold off Waterstone and win the week.

Next Up: With the beginning of the Meadowlands mini-meet, Friday night has the third leg of the Kindergarten Classic for 2yos of both sexes and gaits as well as the fourth leg of the Ms. Versatility for Open Trotting Mares.  Saturday evening, Mohawk Racetrack will be hosting the Simcoe Stakes for 3yo pacers as well as eliminations for the Elegant Image and Canadian Trotting Classic while Scioto Downs will be hosting the Jim Ewart Memorial and the Jug Preview.

The following week, the Grand Circuit hits a fever pitch with racing ten out of eleven days starting with stakes racing Wednesday, September 13 at Hoosier Park.  Over this span, contest racing will be taking place at the Delaware County Fair, Harrah’s Philadelphia, Hoosier Park, Meadowlands and Mohawk.

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, Wellbourne Farms, and WEG Entertainment.  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

Check out the HANA Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge