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Sunday, April 2, 2017

Nash, Owen Victorious in Hambletonian GC Handicapping Challenge Legs

(April 2, 2017) –  While in the early stages, the race is tightening in the Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge as Rusty Nash and Bryan Owen each won a leg of the challenge at Yonkers Raceway this week, reducing front runner Matt Rose’s lead (165.5 points) to 12.5 points.  With his win on Friday (3/31) night, Owen (108 pts) leapfrogged from 12th place to 4th while Nash’s (153 pts) Saturday (4/1) night victory allowed him to move up one place to 2nd.  Ray Garnett (111 pts) dropped into the show spot, 3 points ahead of Owen.   


Owen managed to beat three other handicappers Friday evening who had two out of three winners thanks to finishing second in race 6.  Owen’s wins were Bedroomconfessions ($3.80) in first division of the Matchmaker and Shesjustadelight N ($4.70) in the third tilt.

While Steve Horoky had three out of four Levy elimination winners (Soto, 1st division, $10.00; Missile J, 2nd div, $2.70; Keystone Velocity, 3rd div, $3.10) Saturday evening, Nash managed to take top honors by selecting the 1st and 3rd division winners along with the second place finish of Great Vintage in the second split; allowing him to win the night with a net profit of $8.30 versus Horoky’s $7.80.
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In the overall net-profit competition, Nash ($54.50) remains on top, leading Rose ($53.00) by $1.50. Ray Garnett sits in the show spot with a net profit of $29.50 as Ray Cotolo fills out the superfecta with a net profit of $16.70.

The standings after the first six legs are:
  
Pos
Handicapper
Total Points Earned
Legs Won
1st
Matt Rose
165.5
2
2nd
Rusty Nash
153.0
2
3rd
Ray Garnett
111.0
1
4th
Bryan Owen
108.0
1
5th
Steve Horoky
91.5
0
6th
Russ Adams
82.0
0
7th
Dennis O’Hara
64.0
0
8th
Sally Hinckley
63.5
0
9th
Ray Cotolo
61.0
0
10th
Gordon Waterstone
59.0
0
11th
Megan Maccario
56.0
0
12th
Anne Stepien
55.0
0
13th
Adam Friedland
51.5
0
14th
Jay Hochstetler
42.0
0
15th
Terry Wilson
42.0
0
16th
Michael Carter
42.0
0



Next Up:  The Challenge continues this week at Yonkers Raceway on Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8 for the fourth legs of the Matchmaker and Levy Memorial Series.  The Challenge remains at Yonkers Raceway until the conclusion of the two series on April 22.

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.