from HANA Harness

In a weekend where there were nine stakes races to be played, with a minimum of $270 to be wagered, the potential for movement in any handicapping contest was clear. A hot or cold streak could change things dramatically.

That was the case in HANA Harness’ 2013 Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge, sponsored by the Hambletonian Society, Chicago Harness, IHHA, Meadowlands, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs. Some players, including contest leader Rusty Nash, hit a cold patch while a couple of players managed to get hot. The net result is there is a three contestant pack stalking each other for the lead in the contest with Rusty Nash in front and Mark McKelvie and Dennis O’Hara in hot pursuit. In addition to this trio, Ann Stepien had a big week, moving from seventh place into fourth place.

North America Cup night at Mohawk was a tough evening with only Rusty Nash struggling to come out on the positive side of the journal for the evening while on the negative side, Ann Stepien, Sally Hinckley, Richard Scott and Mark McKelvie were able to minimize their losses, putting them in good position to make a move at Tioga Downs on Sunday if the racing gods were willing. McKelvie ($213.75) and Stepien ($178.75) were able to take advantage on Sunday’s stakes program to improve their positions while Rusty Nash struck out with the exception of the Dickerson Cup, thus backing into the pack.

There was an inadvertent error in last week’s standings. The corrected standings for last week are available on the contest website. In the meantime, here are the current standings as of the conclusion of the contest legs on June 16.

Position-Name-Week Gain-Net Profit-Behind -Last Position-Days Missed
1. Rusty Nash-($179.75)-($7.20)-X-1st-0
2. Mark McKelvie-$136.56-($39.94)-($32.74)-3rd-0
3. Dennis O’Hara-$10.95-($44.85)-($37.65)-2nd-2
4. Ann Stepien-$157.95-($270.95)-($263.75)-7th-0
5. Richard Scott-($127.45)-($318.21)-($311.01)-5th-0
6. Gordon Waterstone-($187.75)-($339.85)-($332.65)-4th-3
7. Sally Hinckley-($150.05)-($393.15)-($385.95)-6th-0
8. Garnet Barnsdale-($290.00)-($597.50)-($590.30)-8th-3
9. Ray Garnett-($137.45)-($601.65)-($594.45)-10th-0
10. Earl Paulson-($159.55)-($631.45)-($624.25)-9th-0

Ten grace days permitted. After ten days, there is a penalty of $30 per race.

Key Hits: Mark McKelvie had a $.20 superfecta in the Elegantimage which paid $60.96 (part of a $16 ticket). Dennis O’Hara had a $10 part wheel exacta in the Fan Hanover with three horses underneath which paid $100.50. While a $12.31 superfecta payoff is typically nothing to brag about, when you hit it by investing $.60 as Richard Scott did on the Fan Hanover, it is noteworthy. On Sunday, Mark McKelvie was able to play a two horse $10 exacta box and turn it into a $72 payoff in the Jersey Cup, whereas Earl Paulson played the same ticket for $15 earning $108. In the Ladyship, McKelvie was able to turn a four horse $1 trifecta box into a cool $209.25 ticket. Anne Stepien turned a $10 across the board ticket in the Ladyship into a $185 payoff.

Contest Schedule This Week
Friday, June 21–Meadowlands; $50,000 TVG FFA (trotters)