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Monday, August 28, 2017

Maccario on Top in Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge

(August 28, 2017) – After three days of competition (8/25-8/27), a familiar name is on top of the standings for the week and year to date in the Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge as Megan Maccario came out in top for the week with 75 points, just 5 points ahead of Ray Cotolo whose 70 points came in one day; having missed the first two days of the week’s competition.  For the fourth week in a row, Maccario sits on top of the standings with 779.23 points, 54 points ahead of Rusty Nash’s 745.20.

Despite not winning a race on Friday night, Maccario came out on top thanks to her selection of Dream Together in the second division of the Casual Breeze as the horse paid $8.60 for second place (no show wagering).  While several handicappers selected the winner of the first division, On A Sunny Day, the payoff was not enough to beat Maccario’s tally.

Saturday there was a three-way dead heat for first place for the day’s races at Mohawk as Russ Adams, Ray Garnett, and Terry Wilson hit the trifecta selecting all three winners for the night’s races; Shadow Moon ($7.90), Percy Bluechip ($2.90), and Pedro Hanover ($5.00) were the winning horses.

Sunday at Tioga Downs, nine stakes races were on the contest sate and a trio of handicappers, Sally Hinckley, Rusty Nash, and Bryan Owen each tabbed five winners but it was Ray Cotolo with four winners who managed to come out ahead as he earned a net profit of $40.10.  While Cotolo had a quartet of winners, it was two second place finishers Frost Damage Blues ($21.60 for place and show) In the Artiscape and Cufflink Hanover ($18.60 place and show) in the Crawford Farms which made the difference.

Standings as of Sunday, August 27, 2017 - Leg #44
Pos
Handicapper
Total Points Earned
Legs Won
Last Week
Streak
1st
Megan Maccario
779.23
8
1st
4
2nd
Rusty Nash
745.20
6
2nd

3rd
Matt Rose
701.38
7
3rd

4th
Russ Adams
693.62
7
4th

5th
Ray Garnett
630.11
4
8th

6th
Sally Hinckley
629.73
6
7th

7th
Dennis O’Hara
627.93
6
6th

8th
Anne Stepien
618.65
5
5th

9th
Gordon Waterstone
584.00
5
9th

10th
Bryan Owen
558.23
5
11th

11th
Steve Horoky
557.16
3
10th

12th
Terry Wilson
465.72
5
13th

13th
Jay Hochstetler
455.00
3
12th

14th
Ray Cotolo
420.33
3
16th

15th
Michael Carter
405.53
3
15th

16th
Adam Friedland
370.30
2
15th




Next Up: Thursday night (8/31) Mohawk Racetrack hosts the Champlain Stake for 2yo filly trotters.  On Friday (9/1), Mohawk hosts the Champlain Stakes for 2yo colt and gelding trotters, the Simcoe Stake for 3yo filly trotter.  Saturday (9/2), Mohawk hosts the Simcoe for 3yo colt and gelding trotters, the Canadian Pacing Derby, the Champlain stake for 2yo pacers of both sexes while Yonkers Raceway features the Yonkers Trot, Messenger Pace, Lady Maud, and the Hudson Filly Trot.  The following week has stakes racing from the Meadowlands, Mohawk Racetrack, and Scioto Downs. 


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.