Nicholas Barnsdale edged closer to leader Nathan Bain, outscoring him by three points in Saturday, July 3rd action in the $500 Hiawatha Horse Park Handicapping Challenge.

Bain, who blasted to the front and has led the contest from the outset, now leads 207 points to 200 after three cards of racing at the Sarnia 5/8-mile oval. There are 11 race days remaining in the meet.

Barnsdale hit for six winners on the 12-race card while Bain correctly forecasted the winner of five races. Both handicappers were on point with Best Bet Highland Mowgli who set an all-age track record trotting to an Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots win in 1:54.3, the fastest mile ever trotted in the three-decade history of Hiawatha Horse Park.

The contest – for which the $300 first prize and $200 second prize is supplied by Hiawatha Horse Park – runs every Saturday and concludes when the last race is run on closing day, September 18th. Follow USHWA Canada Youth members Bain's (@NBainracing) and Barnsdale's (@AceBarnsdale) weekly Hiawatha selections on Twitter every Saturday afternoon.

Barnsdale's selections also appear on the Ontario Racing "Tips from the Pros" page. Try your luck as well: Hiawatha Horse Park is available for online wagering via Horseplayer Interactive and other ADWs.

(UHSWA)