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Sunday, November 5, 2017

Nash Edges Waterstone to Take Week’s Crown

Leads in Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge

(November 5, 2017) –  As the Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge enters the deep stretch, Rusty Nash and Gordon Waterstone each had four winners on Saturday night’s (11/4) eight race slate with races at Hoosier Park and the Meadowlands.  However, with Nash having two second place finishers to Waterstone’s one, Nash edged out Waterstone to take top honors for the week by $3.00.  Steve Horoky took the show spot for the week.

With four contest dates remaining, Nash remains in the top spot for the fourth straight week with 1,46.20 points.  Just 76.7 points behind, Waterstone has moved into second place with 1,369.50 points while Anne Stepien drops one peg into third with 1,336.82 points.  Not out of contention are Sally Hinckley (1,313.48 pts.), Megan Maccario (1,310.90 pts.), and Dennis O’Hara (1,295.85 pts.); all within 150 points of the leader.

  
Standings thru Saturday, November 4, 2017 - Leg #75

Pos
Handicapper
Total Points Earned
Legs Won
Points Back
Last Week
Streak
1st
Rusty Nash
1,446.20
7

1st
4
2nd
Gordon Waterstone
1,369.50
10
76.70
3rd

3rd
Anne Stepien
1,335.82
9
110.38
2nd

4th
Sally Hinckley
1,313.48
9
132.72
5th

5th
Megan Maccario
1,310.90
9
135.30
4th

6th
Dennis O’Hara
1,295.85
10
150.35
7th

7th
Matt Rose
1,278.88
10
167.32
6th

8th
Steve Horoky
1,244.83
5
201.37
8th

9th
Russ Adams
1,200.54
8
245.66
9th

10th
Ray Garnett
1,081.61
6
364.59
10th

11th
Bryan Owen
1,043.90
9
402.30
11th

12th
Jay Hochstetler
924.50
4
521.70
12th

13th
Michael Carter
880.03
3
566.17
13th

14th
Ray Cotolo
834.33
5
611.87
14th

15th
Terry Wilson
809.47
5
636.73
15th

16th
Rich Mattei
644.30
2
801.90
16th



Next Up: This week freshmen trotters and pacers of both sexes head to Dover Downs for the Matron stakes on November 9. 

The following week, the contest returns to Dover Downs as sophomores compete in the Matron stakes on November 16.  November 25 is the final Saturday night of the handicapping challenge with the Final Four and TVG series finals being contested at the Meadowlands.  On November 30, the contest concludes with the Progress Stakes at Dover 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.