Ontario Racing handicapper Nicholas 'Ace' Barnsdale made another dent in Leamington track announcer Nathan Bain’s commanding lead in the $500 Leamington Raceway Handicapping Challenge this past Sunday, October 4.
Barnsdale scored 78 points and gained nine points on the strength of six winning top picks from 10 races, including his Best Bet, Needlecrest, who provided him with five bonus points by taking Race 3. Bain correctly forecasted six top pick winners, scoring 68 points on the day.
Bain still holds a 33-point lead with 676 points to Barnsdale’s 643, but with three cards remaining on the Leamington schedule, there is still time for Barnsdale to make it interesting. The Handicapping Challenge is co-sponsored by the Canadian chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) and online Standardbred marketplace HoofBid. It is contested every week to the final day of the 2020 Leamington Raceway meet on October 25, with $300 to be awarded to the winner and $200 to the runner-up.
Check out Nick's selections in the "Picks from the Pros" at ontarioracing.com and Nathan's picks on the Leamington Raceway website (lakeshorehorseraceway.com). Leamington is now open for up to 100 spectators who contact the track ahead of time to reserve their spot. The live races can be viewed on the track's website, and online wagering is available via HorseplayerInteractive.com and TwinSpires.com.
(USHWA Canada chapter)