The mantle for the weekly leader in HANA Harness’ 2013 Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge was turned over to Horseman and Fair World’s Gordon Waterstone, who topped all handicappers this past week with a net gain of $295 for the four day Red Mile stand which allowed him to move up two positions in the contest.

Waterstone was one of two climbers in the standings this past week, the other being Rusty Nash whose gain of nearly $89 was good enough to move him into third place within striking range of second place. Overall, contest-leader status remains with Richard Scott, who despite having a losing week managed to open his lead slightly on Garnet Barnsdale.

Steady going was the name of the game for Waterstone, for he largely depended on modest hits to allow him to take advantage of the two key hits, which was important considering the final day was marred with less than ideal weather conditions.

After a busy couple of weeks, the handicappers get a light week with respect to the contest with the two Hanover Stakes at Balmoral Park on Saturday being the only races on the contest docket week.

Here are the contest standings at the conclusion of action on September 29:

Key Hits

Garnet Barnsdale - $30 Exacta on first division of International Stallion Stakes (ISS) two-year-old colt and gelding pace paid $195, $30 Exacta second elimination Kentucky Futurity paid $114.00; Ray Garnett - $5 Exacta ($30 total) on second division of ISS two-year-old filly pace paid $145.00; Sally Hinckley - $1 Trifecta Key ($30) on third division of ISS two-year-old colt and gelding trot paid $$155.90; Mark McKelvie - $2 Trifecta ($24) on first division of ISS two-year-old filly pace paid $145.40; Rusty Nash - $10 Win Place wager ($20) on third division of ISS two-year-old filly trot paid $170.00, $15 Win, Place ($30) on second division of ISS two-year-old filly pace paid $205.50; Earl Paulson - $15 Exacta ($30) third division of ISS two-year-old colt and gelding trot paid $159; Anne Stepien - $3 Exacta ($18) on second division ISS two-year-old filly pace paid $87, $1 Trifecta ($24) on Allerage Farms Trot paid $124.40; Gordon Waterstone - $30 Win on second division ISS two-year-old filly pace paid $297, $30 Win on second division ISS two-year-old colt and gelding pace paid $129.

Contest Schedule This Week

Saturday, October 13, 2013 – Balmoral Park: $70,000(Est.) Hanover Stakes for two-year-old filly trotters, $70,000(Est.) Hanover Stakes for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters.

(With files from HANA)