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Sunday, September 10, 2017

O’Hara, Nash On Top in Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge

(September 10, 2017) – In the last weekend before the Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge goes into overdrive with daily stakes races in the Midwest, Dennis O’Hara was the top handicapper for the September 8-9 stanza with a total of 98 points, 21 points ahead of Matt Rose who took the runner-up position.  Rusty Nash finished in the show position with 62 points which was good enough for him to take the lead in the overall contest.

On Friday evening, it was a Kindergarten Classic extravaganza at the Meadowlands with eight tilts of 2yo racing plus a leg of the Ms Versatility being contested.  When the night was over, Rose and O’Hara had four winners each but Rose prevailed with a net profit of $17.90.  Finishing second was Anne Stepien who despite only having two winners, selected Kj’s Bekah who paid $10.60 and $5.60 for her second-place finish.   O’Hara’s four winners was good enough to take fourth place.

Saturday night, the action moved to Mohawk Racetrack and Scioto Downs and once again, O’Hara tabbed four winners but this time he was not to be denied as he grabbed the top spot with a net profit of $10.70, helped by sweeping the Scioto Stakes.  Nash, with five winners for the night had to settle for the place position.

In the year to date contest, Nash has moved in front with a grand total of 874.7 points through forty-nine contest legs.  Megan Maccario, the leader for the past five weeks drops back to second place with 849.23 points.  Matt Rose (822.38 pts), remains in third with the big mover of the week, Dennis O’Hara (761.18 pts) jumping three spots into fourth.

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Standings thru Saturday, September 9, 2017 - Leg #49
Pos
Handicapper
Total Points Earned
Legs Won
Last Week
Streak
1st
Rusty Nash
874.70
6
2nd
1
2nd
Megan Maccario
849.23
8
1st

3rd
Matt Rose
822.38
8
3rd

4th
Dennis O’Hara
761.18
7
7th

5th
Russ Adams
757.87
7
4th

6th
Anne Stepien
745.15
6
5th

7th
Sally Hinckley
688.98
6
6th

8th
Gordon Waterstone
685.00
6
8th

9th
Ray Garnett
678.11
4
9th

10th
Steve Horoky
623.16
3
11th

11th
Bryan Owen
614.23
5
10th

12th
Terry Wilson
551.47
5
13th

13th
Jay Hochstetler
545.50
3
12th

14th
Ray Cotolo
491.33
3
14th

15th
Michael Carter
446.53
3
15th

16th
Adam Friedland
370.30
2
16th

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Next Up: The busiest segment of the grand circuit handicapping contest begins this Wednesday (9/13) with the Nadia Lobell at Hoosier Park.  Friday (9/15) has the Meadowlands hosting the fourth preliminary leg of the Kindergarten Classic for juveniles of both gaits and sexes followed by Saturday’s (9/16) quartet of stakes at Mohawk including the Canadian Trotting Classic and Maple Leaf Trot.  Sunday’s (9/17) stakes coincide with opening day of the Delaware County Fair where the Standardbred for 2yo colts and fillies will be contested.

The following week, the Delaware County Fair continues, including the Little Brown Jug and Harrah’s Philadelphia hosts the Simpson for 3yo filly pacers and trotters.  Hoosier Park and Mohawk Racetrack continue with their stakes program leading to the Red Mile Grand Circuit meet in two weeks.


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.