by Allan Schott for HANA

HANA Harness is pleased to announce the initial Gold Sponsors of this year’s handicapping contest along with the handicappers and rescues they are representing in this year’s event.

This year’s Grand Circuit ‘Shoot-Out Handicapping Contest is being sponsored by prior year sponsors, The Hambletonian Society, Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment, Tioga Downs, and Vernon Downs. New this year to the Gold Level Sponsorship level is DRF Harness and Northfield Park. Thanks to the sponsors which have already committed, at least $3,000 will be distributed to standardbred rescues as a result of this year’s contest.

Additional sponsorships, primarily at the Silver and Bronze levels. are still available. Whether a racetrack, horsemen’s group, or a provider of services related to harness racing, HANA Harness welcomes your sponsorship of this contest. 100% of all funds are directed to approved standardbred rescues. For further information regarding sponsorship opportunities, you may send an email to allan@hanaweb.org.

In addition to the initial gold level sponsors, the contestants for the 2014 HANA Harness Grand Circuit ‘Shoot-Out’ Handicapping Contest presented by The Hambletonian Society, DRF Harness, Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment, Northfield Park, Tioga Downs, and Vernon Downs have been named. This year we have a mix of handicappers of all age groups, from teens and up; some returning and first time contestants. Along with the names of the handicappers is their primary relationship to racing, how they finished in their last HANA Harness Contest (if competed before), and the standardbred equine rescue they are playing for in this year’s contest. For complete biographies of the handicappers, you may visit the contest website for additional information.

Garnet Barnsdale – Harness Racing Writer; Finished 6th in 2013, Rescue: TROTR; Therapeutic Riding and Off-Track Rehabilitation)

Ray Cotolo – Internet Harness Racing Analyst and Writer; Did Not Compete, Rescue: Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals

Ray Garnett –Handicapper; Finished 10th in 2013, Rescue: Rockin T Equine Rescue

Derick Giwner – Editor, DRF Harness; Did Not Compete, Rescue: New Vocations

Sally Hinckley – On-air Handicapping Personality; Finished 9th in 2013, Rescue: Sunshine Horse Rescue.

Mark McKelvie – Handicapper; Finished 8th in 2013, Rescue: Rainhill Sanctuary.

Rusty Nash – Trackmaster Handicapper; Finished 2nd in 2013, Rescue: Central Virginia Horse Rescue

Dennis O’Hara – Handicapper, Former Asst Race Secretary; Finished 5th in 2013, Rescue: Standardbred Retirement Foundation

Earl Paulson – Handicapper, Yahoo Harness Racing Forum Director; Finished 3rd in 2013, Rescue: Heading for Home

Anne Stepien – Handicapper, Former Trainer; Finished 4th in 2013, Rescue: Heart of Phoenix

Gordon Waterstone – Associate Editor, Horseman and Fair World; Finished 7th in 2013, Rescue: Racer Placers

Brandon Valvo – Handicapper, Writer; Did Not Compete, Rescue: Changing Fates Equine Rescue

Josi Verlingieri – Handicapper; Did Not Compete, Rescue: Helping Hearts Equine Rescue.

Bob Zanakis – Ocean Downs Handicapper; Finished 3rd in 2012, Rescue: Horse Lovers United.

The first leg of the 2014 Grand Circuit ‘Shoot-Out’ is scheduled for April 26, 2014 when the finals of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pace and the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series will be contested at Yonkers Raceway. A complete list of contest days may be found here.