While Dennis O’Hara gets to claim a moral victory by selecting four of the six stakes winners on Saturday’s (June 17) Pepsi North America Cup card at Mohawk Racetrack, it was only good enough for second place as Ray Garnett managed to take top honours in this leg of the Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge by selecting Bettors Up ($24.40) in the Fan Hanover.
In the overall contest, Matt Rose (415.1 points) maintains his lead over Rusty Nash (414.3 pts.) by a mere 0.8 points.
In addition to Bettors Up, Garnett’s performance was aided with his selection of Macs Jackpot who finished second in the North America Cup consolation as it returned a combined $17.90 for place and show. His other winners Saturday were Hannelore Hanover ($2.40) in the Armbro Flight and Lady Shadow ($3.60) in the Roses Are Red. With his win, Garnett moves up from eighth to sixth place.
In the overall net profit competition, Rusty Nash leads Ray Garnett by $12.90. Matt Rose trails in third, back an additional $17.50.
Next Up: A week off for the handicappers before the challenge resumes on July 1 with Sun Stakes Saturday at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs and the Cleveland Trot Classic at Northfield Park. The following weekend features the contest’s first appearance of two-year-olds in the Kindergarten Series (Friday) plus the Graduate Series (Saturday) at the Meadowlands, and concludes with the non-Grand Circuit Governors Cup at Summerside Raceway.
(HANA Harness)