Breeders Crown 2016 has come and gone, and by the time the dust had settled, Anne Stepien came out on top with 276.63 points for the weekend in the 2016 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge.
Further back in second was Gordon Waterstone with 193.3 points, while show honours went to Rusty Nash with 148.55 points, which just edged out Sally Hinckley by 2.17 points.
The top two handicappers on Friday’s (10/28) card at the Meadowlands were Dennis O’Hara and Gordon Waterstone, both with four out of the six races (Kindergarten Classic races were played both evenings as well); O’Hara earned 76.8 points and Waterstone tallied 65.8 points.
Out of the ten races on Saturday (10/29), Anne Stepien tabbed six winners, including Someonesomewhere ($36) in the Breeders Crown two-year-old filly pacing final on her way to a 233.33 point tally. Waterstone also earned six winners for the card, minus a long shot which resulted in him earning ‘only’ 127.5 points, while Rusty Nash also had a six-pack of winners which earned him 121.05 points.
In regard to the second-half award, it is still a horse race, as Matt Rose (1,756.48 points) is leading Jay Hochstetler (1,679.18) by 77.3 points. Sally Hinckley (1,592.08) still has the opportunity to grab the $250 bonus for her rescue, as she is only 87.1 points further behind.
For the overall season championship, for all practical purposes, the contest appears to be a walk-over. Hochstetler (3,468.28) is currently 609.75 points ahead of second-place Rose (2,858.53). Starting with the place position, there is still an active contest, as Hinckley (2,761.95) sits in third, less than 100 points behind Rose. As for fourth-place handicapper Waterstone (2,580.73), it will take a huge effort to get into a cashing position, as he is roughly 180 points further behind.
This week’s racing action will begin Thursday at Dover Downs with the Matron Stakes. Action will continue Friday evening with a slate of stakes races at Hoosier Park and the weekend will conclude on the Meadowlands Racetrack with the finals of the Kindergarten Classic being contested.
Racing fans may continue getting the handicappers’ selections and other contest-related information such as the complete standings from HANA Harness’ contest website (hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com).
