Sally Hinckley was the top handicapper this week in HANA Harness’ Grand Circuit Handicapping Shoot-Out Contest with a net profit of $296.80.
While Hinckley was top dog for the week, Brandon Valvo retook the overall lead in the competition thanks to his overall net profit of $1499.50 and Mark McKelvie’s stumble which allowed Valvo to reverse a $14.50 deficit into a lead of $581.50. In addition to Hinckley and Valvo, Garnet Barnsdale, Ray Garnett and two other handicappers had a positive return for the week, meaning seven handicappers improved their overall earnings in the contest this week.
Sally Hinckley profited with trifecta hits in both the Max C. Hempt and Earl Beal Jr. Memorials. In the Hempt, a $10 three-horse Trifecta box ($60 total) returned $194, while in the Beal, $144 in various trifecta plays returned $426.80. Barnsdale laid it all on the line playing McWicked to win for $400 to receive a $600 payoff. Ray Cotolo avoided a shutout with a $50 Win ticket on Doo Wop Hanover in the Hempt consolation, paying $175. Ray Garnett’s $10 Exacta box ($60) returned a dividend of $157 in the James M. Lynch Memorial, while putting four horses under Sweet Lou in a $40 Exacta ($160) in the Ben Franklin FFA returned $428.
In the Franklin, Dennis O’Hara played a $10 Trifecta key ($120) which returned $293. Earl Paulson had several winners and his $40 Win plays in the Lynch consolation and final paid $124 and $104, respectively. Brandon Valvo $50 Win-Place ticket in the Lynch returned $215, while his three horse $10 Exacta box ($60) paid $157. Josi Verlingieri was heard from as well with a $50 Win ticket in the Lynch consolation paying $155.
The Grand Circuit Shoot-Out continues this Saturday, July 5, with the inaugural $400,000 Hambletonian Maturity at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment. Following this coming week, the action picks up as stakes season goes into overdrive.
(With files from HANA)