With a little over a week to go before the first leg of the 2017 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge, this year’s handicappers have made their selections of rescues to represent, attempting to win needed funds for their deserving groups.
With former participants ‘retiring’ from the handicapping challenge, three new handicappers join the fray. Steve Horoky has been a fan for long time. He got actively involved by claiming his first horse at Hiawatha Park in Sarnia before concluding his active career in the sport as an owner/trainer at the old Windsor Raceway. Megan Maccario was born into the industry, as her family has been longtime owners racing in New York and New Jersey. Maccario is currently the lead harness and New York Thoroughbred racing correspondent for Pick Insider. Lastly, Terry Wilson, a former owner of Standardbreds for 30 years on the Ontario circuit, is now pleased to be ‘just a fan.’ All three are hoping to make a big splash in their debuts.
With additional Canadian sponsorship, each handicapper has selected an American Standardbred rescue in addition to a Canadian adoption society to represent, as Canadian sponsorship fees will now be distributed in the same manner as American funds (donations going to the rescues of the top three handicappers). The Canadian adoption societies Galahad, Greener Acres, Morningstar Acres, Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, Performance Standardbreds, and Sadies Place span Canada from New Brunswick to British Columbia. A new American rescue, Future for Standardbreds, makes its debut this year, joining the returning American rescues. Some rescues handle more than Standardbreds; all donations are marked for Standardbred rescue use only.
The list of handicappers and their respective rescues is listed at the bottom of this release. Fans are encouraged to learn more about these rescues and to consider making a donation to one or more of them.
Last Call for Sponsors: Time is running out on becoming a sponsor. Sponsorship opportunities levels are available for as low as $100. Those still considering to become a sponsor are encouraged to do so quickly. Information about sponsorship may be found here.
Next Up: The 2017 challenge opens up on Friday, March 17 with the opening leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at Yonkers Raceway. The action continues Saturday evening with the opening leg of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series at the Hilltop oval.
The 2017 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge is administered by HANA Harness, the harness racing division of HANA, the Horseplayers Association of North America. Fans may follow the challenge by visiting the contest site at hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com.
Handicapper
U.S. Recue
Canadian Rescue
Russ Adams
Changing Fates Equine Rescue
Performance Standardbreds
Michael Carter
New Vocations
Morningstar Acres
Ray Cotolo
Racer Placers
Galahad
Adam Friedland
Future for Standardbreds
Sadies Place
Ray Garnett
Rockin T Equine Rescue
Greener Acres
Sally Hinckley
Helping Hearts Equine Rescue.
Morningstar Acres
Jay Hochstetler
Starting Gaits Standardbred Transition Program
Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society
Steve Horoky
Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals
Greener Acres
Megan Maccario
Rainhill Sanctuary.
Sadies Place
Rusty Nash
Heart of Phoenix
Greener Acres
Dennis O'Hara
Sunshine Horse Rescue.
Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society
Bryan Owen
Standardbred Retirement Foundation
Galahad
Matt Rose
Heading for Home
Morningstar Acres
Anne Stepien
Central Virginia Horse Rescue
Performance Standardbreds
Gordon Waterstone
Horse Lovers United
Galahad
Terry Wilson
TROTR; Therapeutic Riding and Off-Track Rehabilitation)
Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society
(With files from HANA)