from HANA Harness

Earl Paulson was the best this week in HANA Harness’ 2013 Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge sponsored by the Hambletonian Society, Chicago Harness, IHHA, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, Tioga Downs, and Vernon Downs as he led a trio of handicappers who scored triple digit profits this week on races at Tioga Downs and Hoosier Park.

Paulson outperformed everyone with a weekly profit of $598 versus $425 for Dennis O’Hara and $294 for Ann Stepien. This week there were five handicappers who came out in the black which is believed to be a contest high.

Richard Scott, despite taking a bye week on Saturday, remains in the lead with an over-all net profit of $45.60, leading second place Rusty Nash by a total of $337.02. With action at Hoosier Park and Yonkers Raceway, this week presents another opportunity for the handicappers to shake up the standings.

Here are the contest standings at the conclusion of action on Oct. 26, 2013.

Position-Name-Week Gain-Net Profit-Behind-Last Pos.- Days Missed
1. Richard Scott-($60.00)-$45.60-X-1st-6
2. Rusty Nash-$19.00-($271.92)-($317.52)-2nd-4
3. Ann Stepien-$294.00-($770.35)-($815.95)-4th-1
4. Garnet Barnsdale-($294.00)-($860.94)-($906.54)-3rd-8
5. Earl Paulson-$598.00-($1,080.85)-($1,126.45)-6th-7
6. Dennis O’Hara-$425.00-($1,169.05)-($1,214.65)-5th-2
7. Gordon Waterstone-($220.40)-($1,913.80)-($1,959.40)-7th-4
8. Sally Hinckley-$62.50-($2,113.55)-($2,159.15)-8th-0
9. Ray Garnett-($25.50)-($2,731.98)-($2,777.58)-10th-3
10. Mark McKelvie-($342.00)-($2,852.49)-($2,898.09)-9th-8
Ten grace days permitted. After ten days, there is a penalty of $30 per race.

Key Hits

Sally Hinckley-$2 trifecta ($30) on the Kindergarten Classic for 2-year-old trotting colts paid $99.50, $1 trifecta key ($30) in the third division of The Circle City Trot for 3-year-old colts paid $224.20; Dennis O’Hara-$8 exacta partial wheel ($24) on the Kindergarten Classic for 2-year-old trotting colts paid $60; $10 exacta part wheel ($30) on the third division of The Circle City Trot for 3-year-old colts paid $309; Earl Paulson-$5 trifecta box ($30) on the Kindergarten Classic for 2-year-old filly trotters paid $115, $15 exacta box ($30) on the first division of The Madison County Trot for 2-year-old fillies paid $247.50, $15 exacta box ($30) on the second division of The Circle City pace for 3-year-old colts paid $460.50; Anne Stepien-$3 exacta box ($18) on the first division of The Circle City Pace for 3-year-old colts paid $446.40.

Contest Schedule This Week

Friday, Nov. 1–Hoosier Park-$250,000 (est.) Monument Circle for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings, $280,000 (est.) Carl Erskine for 3-year-old trotters, $200,000 (est.) Hoosier Park Pacing Derby FFA, $150,000 (est.) Elevation for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings, $60,000 (est.) Circle City for 3-year-old pacing fillies, $75,000 (est.) Circle City for 3-year-old trotting fillies. Vernon Downs-$25,000 (est.) John Simpson Memorial for 2-year-old colt trotters, 2-year-old filly trotters, 2-year-old colt pacers and 2-year-old filly pacers.

Saturday, Nov. 2–Yonkers Raceway-$450,000 Messenger final for 3-year-old open pacers, $178,684 Lady Maud final for 3-year-old pacing fillies.