Results | 2010 Money Leaders | 2010 Monthly Winners | Contest Rules

UPCOMING HANDICAPPING TOURNAMENTS 2010
All racing fans may enter!

Please invite your friends to enter our Handicapping Tournaments.
More entries greatly bolster the prize money pots!

Saturday September 25 Belmont Park
On & Off-Track Entries
On-Track Dutch Treat Luncheon in Belmont Room


Saturday October 16 Belmont Park
On & Off-Track Entries


 Saturday November 6 Churchill Downs
 BREEDERS CUP • Off-Track Entries Only


  Saturday December 4Aqueduct OR  TBA
Last Chance to Qualify for the 2010 Championships!
Off-Track Entries Only
  Sunday December 26Aqueduct OR  TBA
For Qualified Contestants Only
Off-Track Entries Only

top^  


SARATOGA TOURNAMENT RESULTS • $3,600 PURSE

Our ninth Handicap Tourney of 2010 took place on the Travers Stakes Card August 28, from NY’s historic Saratoga Racecourse in upstate Saratoga Springs. There were 38 contestants, all Off-Track. This tourney’s field of wannabe 2010 Champion Handicappers lined up in the starting gate vying for the $3,600 purse. BIG TIME Congratulations to Bob Fenton from Naugatuck, CT, and first-time starter Dan Kovalesky from the Windy City, Chicago, IL; they deadheated for the win! They both made just one $200 bet on the $16 winner of the Travers Stakes winner. Their dual mythical winnings of $1,600, won them $1,350 each in prize money. Finishing third and breaking a 3-year out-of-the-money slump was retired NY Fireman Danny Porciello from Bethpage, NY. Danny also bet on the Travers Stakes winner but unfortunately only $100. He had $800 in mythical winnings which won him $540 in prize money. Because this contest had more than the required 30 contestants, we paid back to fourth place which was good for Razorback first-time starter David Gentles from Hot Springs, AK. He had $690 in mythical winnings and $360 in prize money. The field yielded a year-high 25 contestants who finished with $ZERO mythical winnings. This illustrious lot included some notable so-called hot-shot handicappers who were quite embarrassed by their dismal showing: Bill “Engaged” Adie, George “Busted Wise Guy” Beglin, Philly Shipper Phil Cassidy, Dennis “Bust Out” Dougherty, “Gin Miller” Jack Fenton, Bill “Wino” Hendershaw, Broke-Down Charlie Highland, Don “Mensa” Larkin, Michael “Travel Agent” Paley, Joe “Thinks He Is Better Than He Is” Porciello, Bill “Professional Handicapper” Taylor and Gene “Country Bumpkin” Waldridge. There are several contestant pals who take almost as much pleasure beating each other than winning the contests. One such rivalry is between Philly Shippers Bob Ortleb and Earle Wallo. Bob got the nod on Earle in this event. Wonder what his joined-at-the-hip wise-guy pal Earle has to say about that?

Today’s collection of contestants was quite an eclectic assortment with a family affair blend to it with the entry of brothers Art & Bill Adie, joined-at-the-hip brothers Bob (1), Jack (1A) & Jim Fenton (1X), husband & wife lovebirds Kathy & Will Hornsby and cousins Elliot Wells & Max Weintraub, father Howard & son Matt Cohen, brothers Danny & Joe Porciello, uncle Charlie Highland & nephew Gene Waldridge. The Stewards have ordered dual winners Bob Fenton and Dan Kovalesky to be tested by the NY State Racing & Wagering Board for performance enhancing substance testing. Reportedly from our paid informants at Cornell University, Bob and Dan’s tests came back positive for elevated levels of Viagra, Geritol, Darvon, Bloody Marys, Weed, Nicotine and Codeine. Several anonymous contestants ( Danny Porciello & Al Schwab) “ratted-out” Bob and Dan to the stewards urging them to take samples. After last year's amazing grand total of $40,025 in prize money distributed amongst the 28 contestants that graced the 2009 cumulative money won list, so far this year $27,200 has been distributed.

Championship Qualifying Rules: Any contestants that finish 1st-2nd-3rd {or 4th, in fields of 31 or more} in any handicapping tournament in a given year automatically qualify for that year's Championship Finale. AND any previous year's Champion Handicapper receives an automatic entry in all  Finales . The growing purse for the Final Championship 2010 is currently $6,400.

The Tremendously Talented Twenty-Six 2010 Qualifiers: Bill Adie, George Beglin, Bill Brites, Howard Cohen, *Dennis Dougherty, Bob Fenton, Jack Fenton, Ed Gardner, David Gentles, Bill Hendershaw, Charlie Highland, *Bill Hirsch, Mary Ryan-Hirsch, Kathy Hornsby, Will Hornsby, Steve Humphrey, John Kernell, Dan Kovalesky, *Bob Ortleb, *Michael Paley, Susan Peterson, Danny Porciello, Joe Porciello, Bill Taylor, Max Weintraub & Elliot Wells

* Former Grand Champions Who Automatically Qualify
2006 Grand Champion Handicapper – Bob Ortleb
2007 Grand Champion Handicapper – Bill Hirsch
2008 Grand Champion Handicapper – Dennis Dougherty
2009 Grand Champion Handicapper – Michael Paley

Contestant Mythical
Winnings
Prize
Winnings
Comments
1Bob Fenton-Tie $1,600 $1,350 Had $200 to win on the $16 Travers victor
1Dan Kovalesky-Tie $1,600 $1,350 Newcomer had beginner's luck?
3Danny Porciello $800 $540 Ended long drought with pal Jimmy Jerkens
4David Gentles $690 $360 Razorback rookie had $200 to win on last race winner
5Howard Cohen $434 0 Joysey eye doctor added blinkers; just missed
6Craig DeSensi-2 $422 0 First time starter merits consideration
7Bill Hirsch $380 0 Won $380 in first race; led thru opening half
8Al Schwab $345 0 Made a run and hung like a picture!
9Elliott Wells $198 0 Had some good figures; failed to produce
10Biob Ortleb $280 0 Philly shipper ran evenly; on the improve
11Max Weintraub $165 0 Veteran runner has good handicapping angles
12Ron Ferraro $123 0 Joysey wannabe wise-guy showed cheap speed
13Max Weintraub $95 0 Classy runner scored early and faltered
14Art Adie $0 0 DE shipper got beat a tough nod in Travers
15Bill Adie $0 0 Showed little, offered little; folded up early
16George Beglin $0 0 Busted wise guy has been awful lately
17Bill Brites $0 0 Jersey shipper never got a sniff; needs drop?
18Phil Cassidy $0 0 Original Philly Shipper stopped badly
19Matt Cohen $0 0 Baby doctor couldn’t deliver the goods
20Dennis D’Arcangelo $0 0 Been far back since he retired; very ghastly
21Dennis Dougherty $0 0 DE school teacher needs to read a book on handicapping
22Craig DeSensi-1 $0 0 Firster never got untracked; should improve with outing
23Jack Fenton $0 0 Started drinking too early; was wobbly in post parade
24Jim Fenton $0 0 Been on shelf too long; never got out of a gallop
25Bill Hendershaw $0 0 Needs to try a different kind of wine to get untracked
26Charlie Highland $0 0 Warmed up sore, pulled up dinky; is back on vet’s list
27Kathy Hornsby $0 0 Good look’in filly didn’t do much; watch next out
28Bill Hornsby $0 0 Stopped like a school bus at a railroad crossing
29Dan Kearney $0 0 Was far back all day; never fired
30Micheal Kegley $0 0 Was always outrun; may need more distance
31Tim Kilburn $0 0 Broke slow, never got going; trailed thruout
32Don Larkin $0 0 Needs a pony: "Handicapping for Dummies"
33Michael Paley $0 0 Can do better
34Susan Peterson $0 0 Needs to update her resum´e; not connecting
35Joe Porciello $0 0 Weaker part of entry today
36Bill Taylor $0 0 Bounced like a ball after last out big win
37Gene Waldridge $0 0 KY country bumpkin had bib overalls for silks
38Earle Wallo $0 0 Philly shipper was distanced; almost lapped!

The final 25 contestants, all with zero mythical winnings, are listed alphabetically.
*   Denotes On-Track Contestant

top^  


 TOP CUMULATIVE PRIZE WINNERS 

CONTESTANT 2010 WINNINGS
Elliot Wells $3,280
Bob Fenton $3,130
Bill Taylor $2,520
Howard Cohen $1,820
Charlie Highland $1,600
Kathy Hornsby $1,380
Dan Kovalesky $1,350
Jack Fenton $1,300
Bill Adie $1,200
Joe Porciello $1,100
Steve Humphrey $1,000
Mary Ryan-Hirsch $800
Michael Paley $780
John Kernell $750
Susan Peterson $740
Max Weintraub $660
Ed Gardner $540
Danny Porciello $540
George Beglin $520
Bill Hendershaw $520
Bill Brites $450
Bill Hornsby $400
David Gentles $360
Bill Hirsch $360
Your Name Here $
Your Name Here $

top^  


2010 Individual Tournament Results

Gulfstream 01/09/10-Season Inaugural
Contestant Mythical
Winnings
Prize
Winnings
Comment
1Joe Porciello $680 $1100 Wannabe'wise guy hit 3 winners
2Max Weintraub $455 $660 Veteran campaigner improved big time
3Susan Peterson $348 $440 Filly has right resumé/pedigree


Gulfstream 02/13/10
Contestant Mythical
Winnings
Prize
Winnings
Comment
1Jack Fenton $1,120 $1,300 Outbroke field
1Kathy Hornsby $580 $780 Sharp distaffer; another "Rachel"?
3 George Beglin $325 $520 Has key to the ¼ pole


Gulfstream 03/13/10
Contestant Mythical
Winnings
Prize
Winnings
Comment
1Bob Fenton $1470 $1300 Gets better with age
1Michael Paley $888 $780 Champ is back
3Bill Hendershaw $430 $520 Tough veteran


Aqueduct 04/3/10
Contestant Mythical
Winnings
Prize
Winnings
Comment
1Charlie Highland $1040 $1600 He's off the vet's list now!
2Mary Ryan-Hirsch $853 $800 Sharp filly had good ride
3Bob Fenton $820 $480 Slick veteran retains form
4Howard Cohen $399 $320 Should improve off this


Churchill Downs Card 05/01/10
Contestant Mythical
Winnings
Prize
Winnings
Comment
1Elliot Wells $1,440 $2,000 Peeks for the big ones!
2Steve Humphrey $1,340 $1,000 Q-tip runner bet on Derby winner
3Kathy Hornsby $785 $600 Runs like Zenyetta
4Bill Hornsby $640 $400 Set early pace


Belmont Card 06/05/10
Contestant Mythical
Winnings
Prize
Winnings
Comment
1Howard Cohen $1,120 $1,500 NJ eye doctor saw the light; big bet on Belmont winner
2John Kernell $840 $750 Finally snapped 2-year skid!
3Bill Brites $546 $450 NJ shipper/rookie impressive
4Susan Peterson $364 $300 Another Rachel Alexander...


Belmont Card 07/03/10
Contestant Mythical
Winnings
Prize
Winnings
Comment
1Bill Adie $1,440 $1,200 Broke on top & stayed there
2Bill Taylor $990 $720 Good Spa prep
3Elliot Wells $680 $480 Impressive


Saratoga Card 08/02/10
Contestant Mythical
Winnings
Prize
Winnings
Comment
1Bill Taylor $820 $1800 Went wire to wire
2Elliot Wells $641 $900 Mr. Consistency
3Ed Gardner $390 $540 Runs good fresh
4Bill Hirsch $332 $360 Back on the board


Saratoga Card 08/28/10
Contestant Mythical
Winnings
Prize
Winnings
Comment
1Bob Fenton-Tie $1,600 $1,350 Fenton boys strike again
1Dan Kovalesky-Tie $1,600 $1,350 Newcomer shows he belongs
3Danny Porciello $800 $540 Finally makes good on his word
4David Gentles $690 $360 Made huge late run


Belmont Card 09/25/10
Contestant Mythical
Winnings
Prize
Winnings
Comment
1Your Name Here $ $ ...
2Your Name Here $ $ ...
3Your Name Here $ $ ...
4Your Name Here $ $ ...

PLEASE NOTE: We will be deducting $100 from each of the 12 scheduled Handicapping Tournaments in 2010. The total deduction of $1,200 will be added to the Final Championship purse. The Grand winner, in addition to the much coveted bragging rights, takes home a beautiful engraved polished pewter bowl with racing-horse head logos. A similar trophy (pictured above) is custom-made by fellow Trackmen Golf Club member Blair "The Pewter King" Beach 's BHS Industries LTD which custom manufactures pewter giftware including corporate gifts, trophies, collectibles and more. He offers all TGC members deep discounts on all orders placed through the TGC.

top^  


Contest Rules

A. Handicapping Contest is open to all TGC members & Quindecim Stable partners and their spouses/guests. Entry fee is $100 per person. Each and every contestant is allowed to enter multiple times at $100 per person/entry, but there still will be only one contest pool. Bill Hirsch’s entry fee is comped.

B. If there are 30 or fewer entries, tournament entry fees will be awarded: 50% to the Winner, 30% to Second and 20% to Third. If there are 31 or more entries, tournament entry fees will be awarded: 50% to the Winner, 25% to Second, 15% to Third and 10% to fourth. When applicable, all on-track contestants and their guest(s) shall contribute a $5 per person gratuity for the Dining Room Maitre D’ to be collected by Bill Hirsch or a designated person in the group.

C. Bets must be a $5 minimum or higher.

D. Only one (1) Win and/or one (1) Place bet may be made for each race. Example: no multiple win and no multiple place bets in a given race.

E. Any one (1) or some or all designated 8 races may be bet and any amount may be bet within the total $200 allotted. If you wager $200 on the first designated race, you will have reached your limit and, Win or Lose, you cannot wager on the remaining 7 races; you would be finished for the day. If you wager $20 on each of the first 5 designated races (total $100) you would have $100 left to wager on the remaining 3 designated races.

F. All contestants are required to submit their bets using the horse’s official program number as the Betting Sheets indicate. If a contestant submits his bet(s) without the official program number and only the horse’s name, his bets will be denied and that contestant will forfeit his entry fee(s). A contestant’s bet(s) will be accepted if both the horse’s name AND the corresponding official program number is submitted. In such an instance, we will only record the official program number. All contestants are responsible for the correct submission of their bets’ official program numbers.

G. A “Late Scratch”: the Post-Time Favorite will be substituted for a “Late Scratch” contest entry. If a “Late Scratch” occurs in an entry (1 & 1A, etc) and the other half of the entry runs for purse money only (no betting), then the Post-Time Favorite will be substituted for a “Late Scratch” contest entry.

H. In the event that wagering on a designated race is reduced to "win" only (where there is no "place" wagering available), a contestant's "place" wagers will automatically be transferred from "place" into a "win" bet, with the following 2 stipulations: First, if there is no previous "win" bet, then the same wager amount transferred from "place" to "win" will be with the same horse-program-# previously wagered in the "place" position. Second, if there is a previous "win" bet, then the heretofore "place" horse-program-# will assume the established "win" number, whether or not the "place" number is the same or different from the "win" number, and the "place" amount will be added to the "win" amount. Note that the rule previously established re: a "late scratch" and the utilization of the "race-time-favorite" (see Rule "G") will still prevail for this "win" only mutuel situation.

I.Off-Track contestants must have their picks called in/emailed/faxed to Bill Hirsch by the designated time selected for that day. Wagers from paid off-track contestants that are received after the designated time will not be accepted and that contestant(s) will forfeit his entry fees. On-track contestants must submit their Betting Sheets to Bill Hirsch two minutes before Post Time notwithstanding of whether they are betting on that designated race or not.

J. When an on-track contestant hands his Betting Sheet to Bill Hirsch two minutes (as stipulated above) before the designated race, his Bets shall be deemed Final and cannot be rescinded or changed after that race has been run, regardless of any error, mistake or otherwise. Any changes must be made (for on-track contestants) within the “2-minutes before the race” and no claims of “honest mistakes” etc. will be honored, especially after a race has been run. When an off-track contestant sends his Betting Sheet to Bill Hirsch prior to the designated deadline-to-submit Betting Sheets-time, it shall be deemed Final and no changes will be accepted. If an on-track contestant loses or misplaces his or her Betting Sheet, that contestant will be deemed disqualified at that point. Any prior winnings up to that point will stand; however that contestant will be disqualified from further wagers. This procedure is necessary and logical since I (Bill Hirsch or whoever else “runs” these tournaments) maintain a summary of total “mythical bet winnings”, but without details available on a lost /misplaced Bet Sheet, then the amount of available wagering dollars for future races would be unknown and disqualification from further wagers is the only practical course of action. Disclaimer: I, (Bill Hirsch) or whoever else may “run” the handicapping tournament, is NOT responsible for any Bet Sheets handed to me or placed on my table that may become lost or misplaced.

K. Tie- Breaker: After the Handicapping Tourney’s final race, in the case of players with identical total winnings, then 1st Tie-Break will be the highest “WIN” bet total (s) for all races. 2nd Tie-Break will be the highest bet winnings (win and/or place) for any one (1) race. Any further Tie-Break needed will result in an equal split.

L. If racing is cancelled at any point on the day’s card, a full refund for all contestants will be forthcoming in the form of a “Credit” towards the next contest entered.

M. Bill Hirsch may enter this contest. In accordance with the rules, his race wagers must be emailed to contestants by 1:00 pm that day or, if on-track, initialed or announced by another/other contestant (s) two minutes before post time.

N. Should the home(s) of Bill Hirsch or anyone else that is running this handicap tournament be broken into and robbed and the “envelope” containing the handicap tourney entry fee monies be stolen or destroyed, Bill Hirsch or those other individuals running the handicap tourneys shall not be responsible for the stolen monies and the handicap tourney shall be deemed cancelled with no refunds.

NOTE: Bill Hirsch will be the sole and final “arbiter” for conflict resolution.


Back to Top