The handicappers of HANA Harness’ Grand Circuit Handicapping Shoot-Out Contest were in love with Market Share this week.
As a result, except for two astute handicappers who allowed for the possibility of Market Share laying an egg, the roster of handicappers took it on the chin when the horse finished sixth in the inaugural Charlie Hill Memorial Aged Trot at Scioto Downs.
Of the 15 handicappers, only Ray Garnett ($776.50) and Derick Giwner ($456.60) showed net profits for the week, leaving Brandon Valvo as the overall leader in the contest through the first 11 legs of the handicapping series. As a result of their performances, Giwner moved from fifth place into second, while Garnett moved from 13th to ninth place overall.
There were three key hits this week: Ray Garnett’s $5 Trifecta box of 4 horses, which cost him $120, returned a generous $1016.50 (also, Garnett did not include Market Share in his wager); Giwner was spot on in regard to the race winner, as his $100 Win ticket on Modern Family returned $290, while his $2 Trifecta partial wheel ($40) returned $406.60.
This week, the handicapping shoot-out is a double header with the contest beginning Friday night at the Meadowlands Racetrack with the TVG FFA Trot and the Meadowlands Maturity for four-year-old pacers. The week’s contest action concludes Saturday evening with a big night of stakes racing at Mohawk Racetrack, starting with the Pepsi North America Cup. In addition to the ‘Cup,’ Mohawk’s undercard will feature the Roses Are Red, Fan Hanover, Goodtimes, and Armbro Flight stakes races. With five stakes races, the handicappers’ bankroll expands to a maximum of $400 and a 13-wager limit.
(HANA)