Hanover resident Merry Francis was crowned the 2009 Hanover Raceway Handicapping Champion on

Wednesday night.

Francis and over 100 others selected five horses a night, and were awarded points based on what their horse paid for Win and Place in each race.

Francis was in the top five for most of the five-week contest, but pulled ahead with two weeks left and finished with $142.80. Second place went to Don Richards of Tara with $138.50, just $4.30 shy of first place.

The big jump of the night was by Robert Reid Sr. of Dundalk who, thanks to a $49.00 win in Race 6, moved to third place with a total of $137.50. Micky Majury of Paisley and Perle Breadner of Markdale tied for fourth place with $137.30.

Francis now advance’s to the Trot Canada National Handicapping Championships at Rideau Carleton Raceway this November for a chance to win the $25,000 grand prize.

To view the list of TCNHC qualifying dates, click here.

(With files from Hanover Raceway)