It was a tight finish this week as the two admitted ‘techno-cappers’ battled all the way to the 14th race at Scioto Downs in the 2015 HANA Harness Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge.
Earl ‘Super Computer’ Paulson collected 166 HANA Grand Circuit points by selecting four winners on the evening. The key to Earl’s victory was landing the largest-priced winner. He was the only one to successfully come up with Doo Wop Hanover to upset in the Jim Ewart Memorial at Scioto. In second was Rusty ‘The Worksheet’ Nash, who also selected four winners, including the second best price of the evening on Nvestment Bluechip in the Champlain two year old pace at Mohawk.
Four other handicappers finished with four of six winners for the evening. While Saratoga Harness had a triple dead heat Saturday evening, the HANA Grand Circuit had a double dead heat. Tied for third were Mark McKelvie and Bobby Zanakis at 143 points. Tied for the final spot on our weekly Pentafecta ticket were Bryan Owen and tour leader Sally Hinckley at 124 points.
It is also worth noting that four handicappers hit the board in all six races. These consistent players were Ray Garnett, Derick Giwner, Rusty Nash and Brandon Valvo.
The top five in the overall Grand Circuit Tour remain exactly the same this week. Sally Hinckley remains on top with 2,918 points. She was able to maintain an impressive lead of more than 300 points. Mark McKelvie did gain a little bit of ground and still remains the ‘Best of the Rest.’ Anne Stepien, Bob Zanakis and Gordon Waterstone complete the black type.
The week will be broken up next week, starting with the Nadia Lobell from the Meadows on Wednesday. Then Mohawk will be visited once again on Saturday for an exceptional evening of five finals (Peaceful Way, Maple Leaf Trot, William Wellwood Memorial, Canadian Trotting Classic and the Elegantimage). On Monday, Harrington’s Bobby Quillen will be tackled. It will get busy shortly thereafter, as Little Brown Jug week will get rolling.
(HANA)