After seventy-nine legs, the 2016 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge is coming down to the wire.
While for the most part payoff positions have been wrapped up, there is still a race on for second-half champion, as Matt Rose (1,882.88 points) is seeking to hold off first half champion Jay Hochstetler (1,830.13 pts.) with two contest dates remaining and 52.74 points separating the two handicappers. Hochstetler will be the overall champion while Rose leads Sally Hinckley by 103.64 points for the runner-up position which should hold up barring shockers in the final two legs.
However, this past weekend was Final Four weekend at Woodbine Racetrack and when the points were tallied, Ray Garnett came out on top, earning 46.2 points for two winners, besting Russ Adams with 45.58 points and Hochstetler with 38.7 points also with two winners, the difference attributable to Garnett’s selection of Thats The Ticket ($13.70) in the Three Diamonds Final.
This year’s edition of the Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge comes to a conclusion with The Courageous Lady, Saturday (November 26) at Northfield Park and the Progress Stake at Dover Downs on Monday (November 28).
(With files from HANA)