from HANA Harness

You know it was a tough week in the 2013 HANA Harness Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge, sponsored by the Hambletonian Society, Chicago Racing, IHHA, Meadowlands, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs, when the week’s winner Dennis O’Hara lost only a total of $1.40 for the four races (eight dashes) in Grand Circuit events this past week.

It was not for the lack of winners, but when they were hit they were not enough to overcome losing wagers. Anyone who thinks victory will be easily won in this competition are sadly mistaken; it will be a hard fought battle.

A change in the rules will be implemented starting with the Pepsi North America Cup. While the rules call for a $30 mandatory wagering total/three bet limit per stakes event, a few races have been designated as ‘bonus events.’ In bonus events, the handicapper has the option of betting up to $50/five wagers (an increase of $20 and two wagers) if they wish or they may adhere to the original limit; the choice is up to them.

As of today, the races considered bonus races are the North America Cup, Meadowlands Pace, Hambletonian, Little Brown Jug, Yonkers Trot and Kentucky Futurity.

The remaining races are being reviewed and additional races may be designated bonus events and will be named shortly.

Here are the current standings as of the end of the June 9 contest card:

Position-Name-Week Gain-Net Profit-Behind-Last Week-Days Missed
1. Rusty Nash-($50.60)-$130.55-X-1-0
2. Dennis O’Hara-($1.40)-($16.00)-($146.55)-2-2
3. Mark McKelvie-($31.20)-($147.70)-($278.25)-3-0
4. Gordon Waterstone-DNC-($152.10)-($282.65)-5-3
5. Richard Scott-($97.70)-($234.76)-($365.31)-4-0
6. Sally Hinckley-($90.40)-($273.50)-($404.05)-6-0
7. Garnet Barnsdale-($30.00)-($337.50)-($468.05)-7-3
8. Ann Stepien-($100.05)-($468.95)-($599.50)-8-0
9. Ray Garnett-($120.00)-($524.20)-($654.75)-9-0
10. Earl Paulson-($120.00)-($531.90)-($662.45)-10-0

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

DNC — Did not compete this week.

Key Hits: Mark McKelvie had a $6 win ticket on It’s Complicated on Friday night which paid $52.80 in the second division of the Currier and Ives. In the first division, Dennis O’Hara had the trifecta twice (once in a four horse, then a three horse box) which grossed $59.20.

Contest Schedule This Week
Saturday, June 15: Mohawk Racetrack – $380,000 (est.) Elegantimage 3-year-old filly trot; $400,000 (est.) Fan Hanover 3-year-old filly pace; $250,000 (est.) Goodtimes 3-year-old Open Trot; $1 million (est.) North America Cup 3-year-old Open Pace

Sunday, June 16: Tioga Downs-$46,000 div. Jersey Cup 3-year-old colt pace; $55,000 div. Coaching Club Oaks 3-year-old filly trot; $60,000 div. Dickerson Cup 3-year-old colt trot; $65,000 div. Ladyship 3-year-old filly pace.