from HANA Harness

Thursday night (July 5) was a difficult night for favorites at the Meadowlands and Chip handicapper Robert Pandolfo (Pandy) took advantage of it in the 16th leg of HANA Harness’ The Pen vs. The Chip Handicapping Challenge, sponsored by the Hambletonian Society, Meadowlands, Tioga Downs, and Vernon Downs, by leaping from sixth place into the top spot with Thursday’s 4.018 Win ROI.

Pandy had a big night in the unofficial exacta category as he scored a staggering 8.686 ROI for the night. Among Pandy’s winning selections was R Same ($24.40) and the 6-2 exacta paying $122.40 in the seventh race, while selecting Whimzical Britt ($61.80) and the 8-10 exacta which paid $254.60 in the ninth race. While not part of the contest, Pandy’s top three selections in the ninth race brought down a $1,995.40 trifecta.

While Pandy takes the lead in the overall standings, the competition remains tight as Pandy leads Pen handicapper Mark McKelvie by just $0.80. Trackmaster’s Chatsworth Consortium is in third place, only $15.40 behind the leader.

Through the first 16 legs of the Handicapping Challenge, the overall standings are:

Position-Name-$ Won-ROI
1. Pandy (C)-$417.60-0.990
2. Mark McKelvie (P)-$416.80-0.988
3. TM’s Chatsworth Consortium (C)-$402.20-0.953
4. Bobby Z (P)-$361.50-0.857
5. Mr. Trifecta (P)-$358.00-0.848
6. Ray’s Robot (C)-$347.30-0.823
7. Scott Alberg (P)-$296.60-0.703
8. Earl the Pearl (C)-$282.70-0.670

The handicapping challenge continues with Friday night’s card at Meadowlands Racetrack and Saturday evening’s Yonkers Trot card at Yonkers Raceway.

As always, contest dates, handicapper selections, and additional statistical information are available at the contest website (http://hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com). Each leg’s selections will be posted the morning of the day’s racing action.