(October 2,
2017) – In an explosive move, handicapper Anne Stepien
leapfrogged from seventh to second place, just 14 points away from first place
in the Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge as week one
(9/28-10/1) of The Red Mile Grand Circuit, supplemented with races from Harrah’s
and Northlands Park, ended. In the
overall standings, Rusty Nash maintains his hold on the stop spot for the third
week in a row.
Four
handicappers earned triple digit points for the four days. Stepien earned a total of 180 points to earn
weekly honors with Ray Cotolo finishing second with 152 points. Jay Hochstetler’s 137 points was good enough
to land the show spot with Megan Maccario completing the superfecta with 111
points.
On
Thursday, Sally Hinckley drew first blood with her selection of Seven Iron
($26.80) in the second division of the Bluegrass for 2yo colt and gelding
trotters and Moosonee, whose second-place finish in a later division earned her
an additional $34.40 dividend to cruise to victory. Despite Stepien having six winners on Friday,
the day’s top spot belonged to Ray Garnett whose three winners were coupled
with Baby Wants, whose third place finish in the Simpson paid $76.40 to show.
Saturday,
Cotolo’s three winners was good enough to grab the top slot, edging Maccario by
$1.70. Saving the best for last, Stepien tabbed seven winners on Sunday to grab
daily honors. Among her winners were Mike’s Z Tam ($27.60)
and International Moni ($10.60).
In
the year to date battle, Nash maintains his lead with 1,111.2 points, just ahead
of the surging Stepien (1,097.82 pts.).
Moving back into the top three is Maccario with 1,094.9 points. Matt Rose (1,073.88 pts.) and Gordon
Waterstone (1,070.5 pts.) round out the top five, within striking distance.
.
|
Standings thru Sunday, October 1, 2017 - Leg
#63
|
|||||
|
Pos
|
Handicapper
|
Total Points Earned
|
Legs Won
|
Last Week
|
Streak
|
|
1st
|
Rusty Nash
|
1,111.20
|
6
|
1st
|
3
|
|
2nd
|
Anne Stepien
|
1,097.82
|
8
|
7th
|
|
|
3rd
|
Megan Maccario
|
1,094.90
|
8
|
4th
|
|
|
4th
|
Matt Rose
|
1,073.88
|
10
|
2nd
|
|
|
5th
|
Gordon Waterstone
|
1,070.50
|
9
|
3rd
|
|
|
6th
|
Dennis O’Hara
|
1,036.85
|
9
|
6th
|
|
|
7th
|
Russ Adams
|
1,003.04
|
8
|
5th
|
|
|
8th
|
Sally Hinckley
|
1,001.98
|
8
|
8th
|
|
|
9th
|
Steve Horoky
|
945.83
|
4
|
9th
|
|
|
10th
|
Ray Garnett
|
905.11
|
5
|
10th
|
|
|
11th
|
Bryan Owen
|
802.90
|
6
|
11th
|
|
|
12th
|
Jay Hochstetler
|
763.50
|
4
|
12th
|
|
|
13th
|
Ray Cotolo
|
720.33
|
4
|
14th
|
|
|
14th
|
Terry Wilson
|
700.47
|
5
|
13th
|
|
|
15th
|
Michael Carter
|
612.53
|
3
|
15th
|
|
|
16th
|
Rich Mattei
|
476.30
|
2
|
16th
|
|
Next Up: The Red Mile meet concludes with the contesting of the
International Stallion, Allerage Farms TVG, Glen Garnsey Memorial, Tattersalls,
Kentucky Futurity and Kentucky Filly Futurity stakes. The following week, Hoosier Park’s Circle
City and Madison County stakes will be contested along with the Yonkers
International Trot on Saturday, October 14.
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.
