Although its still in the early stages, the race is tightening in the Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge.
Rusty Nash and Bryan Owen each won a leg of the challenge at Yonkers Raceway this week, reducing front runner Matt Rose’s lead (165.5 points) to 12.5 points. With his win on Friday (3/31) night, Owen (108 pts) leapfrogged from 12th place to 4th while Nash’s (153 pts) Saturday (4/1) night victory allowed him to move up one place to 2nd. Ray Garnett (111 pts) dropped into the show spot, 3 points ahead of Owen.
Owen managed to beat three other handicappers Friday evening who had two out of three winners thanks to finishing second in Race 6. Owen’s wins were Bedroomconfessions ($3.80) in first division of the Matchmaker and Shesjustadelight N ($4.70) in the third tilt.
While Steve Horoky had three out of four Levy elimination winners (Soto, 1st division, $10.00; Missile J, 2nd div, $2.70; Keystone Velocity, 3rd div, $3.10) Saturday evening, Nash managed to take top honours by selecting the 1st and 3rd division winners along with the second place finish of Great Vintage in the second split; allowing him to win the night with a net profit of $8.30 versus Horoky’s $7.80.
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In the overall net-profit competition, Nash ($54.50) remains on top, leading Rose ($53.00) by $1.50. Ray Garnett sits in the show spot with a net profit of $29.50 as Ray Cotolo fills out the superfecta with a net profit of $16.70.
The standings after the first six legs appear below.
Next Up: The Challenge continues this week at Yonkers Raceway on Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8 for the fourth legs of the Matchmaker and Levy Memorial Series. The Challenge remains at Yonkers Raceway until the conclusion of the two series on April 22. For more information, visit hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com.
(HANA)