Harness: Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge offers $100,000 prize

The 2016 Grand Circuit Challenge, which will be hosted on www.HarnessRacingFanZone.com as part of the Harness Racing Social Media Initiative, will offer a $100,000 grand prize to any contestant who can successfully pick the winner in each of the contest’s 18 races.

The contest, which involves 10 different racetracks, will begin on Aug. 6, with the Hambletonian, Hambletonian Oaks and U.S. Pacing Championship from the Meadowlands and conclude at that same track with a Breeders Crown race on Oct. 29.

Contestants can sign up for the contest on the Harness Racing FanZone website by clicking here.

“The Grand Circuit is the best racing that we have to offer and the Grand Circuit Challenge is aimed at attracting new fans and wagering to harness racing through a contest that showcases 18 of our major races,” said Grand Circuit President John Campbell. “It is the cornerstone of a promotion that offers the challenge of a contest while providing handicapping information and expert analysis for those new to harness racing to learn more about the sport, our stars and how to bet on it.”

For each of the 18 races, contestants will be provided with past performances courtesy of TrackMaster at no charge. In addition, Derick Giwner from Daily Racing Form will provide his expert handicapping analysis on each race prior to every contest.

In addition to the $100,000 grand prize, there will be additional prizes awarded throughout the contest.

Besides the Meadowlands, key Grand Circuit races at tracks across North America will be part of the contest, including Hoosier Park, The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, Vernon Downs, Yonkers Raceway, Scioto Downs, Mohawk Racetrack, Delaware County Fairgrounds, Dayton Raceway and Red Mile.

In addition, the Grand Circuit released a promotional video on the contest. Click here to watch.

Following is the schedule for the $100,000 Grand Circuit Challenge:

Aug. 6 - Hambletonian at the Meadowlands
Aug. 6 - Hambletonian Oaks at the Meadowlands
Aug. 6 - U.S. Pacing Championship at the Meadowlands
Aug. 12 - Dan Patch at Hoosier Park
Aug. 20 - Battle of the Brandywine at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono
Aug. 26 - Muscle Hill at Vernon Downs
Sept. 3 - Yonkers Trot at Yonkers Raceway
Sept. 3 - Messenger at Yonkers Raceway
Sept. 10 - Jim Ewart Memorial at Scioto Downs
Sept. 17 - Canadian Trotting Classic at Mohawk Racetrack
Sept. 21 - Jugette at the Delaware County Fairgrounds
Sept. 22 - Little Brown Jug at the Delaware County Fairgrounds
Sept. 30 - Dayton Pacing Derby at Dayton Raceway
Oct. 9 – Tattersalls at Red Mile
Oct. 9 - Kentucky Futurity at Red Mile
Oct. 15 - International Trot at Yonkers Raceway
Oct. 28 - Breeders Crown at the Meadowlands
Oct. 29 - Breeders Crown at the Meadowlands

(--press release from USTA)