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Nathan Bain edged his rival Nicholas “Ace” Barnsdale by another slim margin of five points in Saturday’s (June 26) Hiawatha Horse Park Handicapping Challenge. That boosted Bain’s lead to 10 points, with plenty of action still left in the contest.
Bain struck for four winners on the 11-race card, including an ice-cold Pick 3 in races 4 through 6, while Barnsdale correctly forecasted three winners. Bain racked up 53 points on the day to Barnsdale’s 48. Bain’s overall contest lead stands at 129 to Barnsdale’s 119.
With 12 cards of racing remaining in the Sarnia, Ontario track’s 2021 meet, the contest outcome is far from decided between the two closely-matched handicappers. Both are USHWA Youth members, respectively known for their racecalls (Bain) and journalism (Barnsdale), in addition to picking winners.
The day’s driving star was Tyler Borth, who swept the final three races. He won the 9th and 10th with longshots Woodmere Rio ($25.80) and West River Cindy ($18.90) and completed the natural hat trick when he steered 3/5 favorite Thee Desperado to a dominant win in the finale.
The contest – for which the $300 first prize and $200 second prize is supplied by Hiawatha Horse Park – runs every Saturday and concludes when the last race is run on closing day, September 18th. Follow handicappers Bain (@NBainracing) and Barnsdale (@AceBarnsdale) for their weekly Hiawatha selections on Twitter every Saturday afternoon. Barnsdale’s selections also appear on the Ontario Racing “Tips from the Pros” page.
Check out Hiawatha Horse Park on Horseplayer Interactive and other ADWs.
by Melissa Keith, for the United States Harness Writers Association Canadian Chapter
