Bain opens up lead over Barnsdale

Leamington track announcer Nathan Bain exploded with a huge handicapping day to open up his lead on Ontario Racing handicapper Nicholas "Ace" Barnsdale in the $500 Leamington Raceway Handicapping Challenge on Sunday, August 30.

Bain rode the hot hand of leading driver Mark St. Louis Jr., as he correctly forecasted all five of that reinsman's winners along with two others, making it a seven-winner day for Bain on the 10-race card. His Best Bet Validus Deo won, so Bain totaled a whopping 80 points on the day out of a possible 100.

Barnsdale's handicapping wasn't too shabby either, as he selected four winners including his Best Bet, Better Fly Boy in race 5. Barnsdale tallied 60 points for the day. Bain now leads the challenge 295 to 272, but there is plenty of time for Barnsdale to close the gap with nine race dates remaining at the meet.

The Handicapping Challenge is co-sponsored by the Canadian chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) and online Standardbred marketplace HoofBid. It is contested every Sunday to the final day of the 2020 Leamington Raceway meet on October 25, with $300 awarded to the winner and $200 to the runner-up.

Check out Nick's selections at Picks from the Pros" at ontarioracing.com and Nathan's on the Leamington Raceway website, lakeshorehorseraceway.com. Leamington is now open to up to 100 spectators who contact the track ahead of time to reserve their spot. The live races can be viewed on the website, with online wagering available via HorseplayerInteractive.com and also TwinSpires.com, which recently added Leamington.