Prior to this week, Brandon Valvo had a tenuous lead in HANA Harness’ Grand Circuit Handicapping Shoot-Out Contest, as two handicappers were within $50 of him.
What a difference a week makes.
Thanks to Valvo’s week-leading profit of $1,103.50 (overall lead of $1,983.50), he has a solid lead of $1,310.50 over his nearest competitor over this past week’s three-leg stretch of the contest.
Valvo’s most successful leg of the weekend was the Molson Pace at Western Fair District. While Valvo may have been nervous with State Treasurer’s rocky start in the race, he was rewarded on a $100 Win ticket which paid $245, a $30 Exacta Key ticket which was good for $117.50, and a $120 Trifecta ticket which grossed $741. While not as impressive, Valvo also had winning days on Saturday’s Somebeachsomewhere at Mohawk, and Sunday’s Roll With Joe at Tioga Downs.
Another performance of note was Mark McKelvie’s, whose $362.50 weekly net profit moved him from fifth place to second, just $62.50 in front of Bob Zanakis.
Some other big hits from the handicappers this weekend were on the Molson Pace; Garnet Barnsdale’s $250 Place bet on State Treasurer which paid $400; Ray Garnett’s $20 Exacta Box ($120 total) paid $235; Sally Hinckley’s $2 Trifecta Box ($48) paid $148.20; Mark McKelvie’s $50 Win and Place ticket ($100) paid $202.50; Dennis O’Hara’s $30 Exacta Box ($60) paid $352.50; Anne Stepien’s $5 Trifecta Box ticket ($120) paid $370.50 and $1 Superfecta Box ($24) paid $251.70.
On Saturday, McKelvie scored a $372 Trifecta with a $20 partial wheel ticket ($160) on the first division of the Somebeachsomewhere and a $385 payoff on a $50 straight Exacta on the Yonkers Trot. Gordon Waterstone scored a $204 payoff with a $120 Win ticket on the second division of the Somebeachsomewhere. On Sunday’s Roll With Joe, Rusty Nash scored a $219 profit on a $15 partial Trifecta Wheel ($45).
This week it is Saturday night contest night with a return trip to Scioto Downs for the $200,000 (Est.) Charlie Hill for older trotters. The following week will feature racing at the Meadowlands (Friday) and Mohawk Racetrack for North America Cup Night (Saturday) where the handicapper’s bankroll is increased from $250 to $400 (all days with five or more stakes races will trigger the higher bankroll).
(With files from HANA)