2012 Schedule | 2012 Money Leaders | 2012 Monthly Winners | Contest Rules
GULFSTREAM PARK • JANUARY 28 • $2,790 PURSE
Our second Handicap Contest of 2012 took place on races 3-10 from Gulfstream Park on the Sunshine Millions Card. This field of 33 wannabe 2012 Champion Handicappers
lined up in the starting gate vying for the $2,790 purse. There were only 10 contestants that had any mythical winnings, which means that there were 23 contestants with no (zero) winnings. BIG TIME Congratulations to New Joysey shipper Bill Brites from Raritan, NJ. Bill, winning his first ever Hdcp Contest, nailed a $200 win bet on the $6.80 winner of the 6th race for mythical winnings of $680 and won $1,395 in first place prize money. Tying for second was Jack Fenton from Naugatuck, CT and Michael Paley from Malverne, Noo Yawk. Both Jack and Michael struck early in our fourth race when they each hit a $100 win bet on the $13.20 winner for $660 each in mythical winnings and $557 each in prize money. Because this contest had the required 30 entries or more, we paid back to the first four places. Finishing fourth, a measly $40 behind Jack & Michael, was Philly Shipper Jimmy Dintino from Philadelphia, PA. One of the few Republicans in Philly, Jimmy is the Executive Director for both the Republican City Committee of Philly and the South Philly GOP. Jimmy bet his whole $200 to win on the $6.20 winner (Mucho Macho Man) of the tenth race for mythical winnings of $620 which garnered him $280 in prize money. This was the first time Jimmy has hit the board in a year of entering every contest. Today’s field rendered 23 contestants (out of 33) who finished with $ZERO mythical winnings. This well-known lot included some notable so-called hot-shot handicappers who were quite embarrassed by their miserable meager showing: Art “Precious Metals” Adie, Bill “Ball & Chain” Adie (80), ex-wise guy George Beglin, Ken “Redboard” DeMarinis, Brothers Bob & Jim “Gin Millers” Fenton, Ronnie “Retired Joysey Pit Boss” Ferraro, Bill “Backstretch” Hirsch, John “Up the Track” Kernell, Dan “Windy City” Kovalesky, Ara “Deer Hunter” Kradjian, Danny “Back Where He Belongs” Porciello, Bill “Bust Out” Taylor, Bob “Un-Employed Veteran Trainer” Weiner, Elliot “Geek Squad” Wells and Dennis “No Crown Royal Tonight” Worswick. There are several contestants who take almost as much pleasure beating each other than winning the contests. One such burgeoning rivalry has been between Philly Shippers Bob Ortleb and Earle Wallo. Bob started off the new season beating his rival pal Earle but Earle came back today to even the score.
This collection of contestants was quite an eclectic assortment with a family affair blend: brothers Art & Bill Adie, the Fenton brothers Bob, Jack & Jim, husband & wife LA Mudbugs Kathy & Will Hornsby, cousin and nephew Max Weintraub & Elliot Wells and husband & wife Christa & Earle Wallo. The Track Stewards have ordered winner Bill Brites be tested by the Noo Joysey State Drug Testing Authority for performance enhancing substances. Our paid informant (Barack Obama) reports that Bill’s tests came back positive for Vodka, Tequila Shots, Bloody Marys, Viagra, Pot and Beer.
Last year an amazing record grand total of $47,100 in pool prize money was distributed among the 34 contestants that graced the 2011 cumulative money-won list. Currently this season, $5,130 has been dispersed among the current 12 Qualifiers for the prestigious 2012 Final Championship. It should be noted that the 3 Fenton Brothers Bob, Jack and Jim collectively amassed $6,800 last year in prize money. Could this be the beginning of a FENTON DYNASTY?? Not just yet; they didn’t enter the first contest of the year and bro Jack tied for second today for a paltry $557 in winnings. I think we can stick 3 forks in these three stooges!
| Contestant | Mythical Winnings |
Prize Winnings |
Comments |
| 1Bill Brites | $680 | $1,395 | Joysey shipper nailed a $200 win bet |
| 2Jack Fenton-TIE | $660 | $557 | Must have stayed sober today! |
| 2Michael Paley-TIE | $660 | $557 | Been a long time since his name was here |
| 4Jimmy Dintino | $620 | $280 | So.Philly GOP boss ran like a blue elephant |
| 5Earl Wallo | $600 | 0 | Just missed hitting the board after running gamely |
| 6Keith Brookins | $520 | 0 | Saratoga Innkeeper is always right there |
| 7Bill Hornsby | $260 | 0 | Finished ahead of spouse; will sleep on sofa tonite |
| 8Richard Remien | $238 | 0 | Firster ran well in well-bet belated debut |
| 9Kathy Hornsby | $130 | 0 | Usually hits the board; let her hubby beat her |
| 10Bob Ortleb | $32 | 0 | Philly shipper had $25 to place on a 3-5 shot? |
| 11Art Adie | $0 | 0 | Precious Metals dealer will need to sell some rocks |
| 12Bill Adie | $0 | 0 | Ball & Chain was too heavy for recently married gelding |
| 13George Beglin | $0 | 0 | Used to do better before getting busted |
| 14Howard Cohen | $0 | 0 | Joysey eye doctor ran bleary-eyed |
| 15Charlie Colan | $0 | 0 | Didn't muster a serious threat |
| 16Ken DeMarinis | $0 | 0 | Will have mucho redboard alibis |
| 17Jim Falcone | $0 | 0 | Bounced badly after last out win |
| 18Bob Fenton | $0 | 0 | Should have stayed sober like bro Jack |
| 19Jim Fenton | $0 | 0 | Last year’s leading money winner is broke down |
| 20Ronnie Ferraro | $0 | 0 | Ex Atlantic City pit boss bet $100 WP on a 17-1 shot? |
| 21John Herzberg | $0 | 0 | His $200 win bet finished a distant 2nd |
| 22Bill Hirsch | $0 | 0 | Showed very little in a dull effort |
| 23John Kernell | $0 | 0 | Secretariat was a 2-y-o when this one last hit board! |
| 24Tim Kilburn | $0 | 0 | KY hillbilly reportedly was high on moonshine |
| 25Ara Kradjian | $0 | 0 | Veteran runner having trouble with this bunch |
| 26Don Kovalesky | $0 | 0 | Hope he fared better in Vegas HDCP Championship |
| 27Danny Porciello | $0 | 0 | Back to where he belongs after last out longshot 2nd |
| 28Bill Taylor | $0 | 0 | No explanation why this one is on bottom of this list? |
| 29Christa Wallo | $0 | 0 | Philly shipper miss was badly outrun |
| 30Bob Weiner | $0 | 0 | Highly touted firster flashed speed and stopped |
| 31Elliot Wells | $0 | 0 | Computer programmer had terrible figures |
| 32Max Weintraub | $0 | 0 | Broadway producer saw curtain come down early |
| 33Dennis Worswick | $0 | 0 | Can’t afford his beloved Crown Royal tonight! |
The final 23 contestants, all with zero mythical winnings, are listed alphabetically.
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Sunday February 26, 2012 •
Gulfstream Park FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH CARD • Off-Track Entries Only |
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Saturday March 17 •
Gulfstream Park Off-Track Entries Only |
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Saturday April 7 •
Aqueduct WOOD MEMORIAL CARD • Off-Track Entries Only |
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Saturday May 5 •
Churchill Downs KENTUCKY DERBY CARD • Off-Track Entries Only |
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Saturday May 19 •
Pimlico PREAKNESS CARD • Off-Track Entries Only |
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Saturday June 9 •
Belmont Park BELMONT STAKES CARD • Off-Track Entries Only |
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Saturday July 7 •
Belmont Park SUBURBAN CARD • Off-Track Entries Only |
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Saturday July 28 •
Saratoga Race Course JIM DANDY CARD • Off-Track Entries Only |
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Saturday August 25 •
Saratoga Race Course TRAVERS CARD • Off-Track Entries Only |
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Saturday September 15 •
Belmont Park GARDEN CITY CARD • Off-Track Entries Only |
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Saturday October 6 •
Belmont Park CHAMPAGNE CARD • Off-Track Entries Only |
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Saturday November 3 •
Santa Anita BREEDERS CUP CARD • Off-Track Entries Only |
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Saturday Novenmber 24 •
Aqueduct CIGAR MILE CARD • Off-Track Entries Only |
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Saturday December 15 •
Aqueduct GRAVESEND CARD • Off-Track Entries Only Last Chance to Qualify for 2012 Championship! |
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Saturday December 29 •
Aqueduct GALLANT FOX CARD • Off-Track Entries Only For Qualified Contestants Only |
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| CONTESTANT | 2012 WINNINGS |
| Bill Brites | $1,395 |
| Jim Falcone | $1,170 |
| Danny Porciello | $702 |
| Jack Fenton | $557 |
| Michael Paley | $557 |
| Mary Ryan-Hirsch | $468 |
| Jimmy Dintino | $280 |
| TOTAL | $5,130 |
Championship Qualifying Rules: Any contestant that earns prize money in any handicapping contest in a given year automatically qualifies for that year's Championship Finale. AND any previous year's Champion Handicapper receives an automatic entry in All Finales! Please see contest rules below.
TenaciousTwelve Qualifiers For 2012: Bill Brites; *Matt Cohen, Jimmy Dintino; *Dennis Dougherty, Jim Falcone, Jack Fenton, *Bill Hirsch, *Dan Kovalesky, *Bob Ortleb, *Michael Paley, Danny Porciello & Mary Ryan-Hirsch. Please see their individual placings below.
| Former Grand Champions Who Automatically Qualify for All Finales: |
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2006 Grand Champion Handicapper – Bob Ortleb 2007 Grand Champion Handicapper – Bill Hirsch 2008 Grand Champion Handicapper – Dennis Dougherty 2009 Grand Champion Handicapper – Michael Paley 2010 Grand Champion Handicapper – Dan Kovalesky 2011 Grand Champion Handicapper – Matthew Cohen 2012 Grand Champion Handicapper – Your Name Here |
Gulfstream 01/07/12 - Season Inaugural
Contestant Mythical
WinningsPrize
WinningsComment 1Jim Falcone $800 $1,170 Broke on top & never looked back 2Danny Porciello $390 $702 Personal best after a long campaign 3Mary Ryan-Hirsch $360 $468 MD bred filly hung tough
Gulfstream 01/28/12 - Sunshine Millions Card
Contestant Mythical
WinningsPrize
WinningsComment 1Bill Brites $680 $1,395 Broke alertly & stayed on top 2Jack Fenton $660 $557 Stayed sober for this win! 2Michael Paley $660 $557 Finally back where he belongs 4Jimmy Dintino $620 $280 Veteran campaigner hits the board
Gulfstream 02/26/12 - Fountain of Youth Card
Contestant Mythical
WinningsPrize
WinningsComment 1... $... $... ... 1... $... $... ... 3... $... $... ... 4... $... $... ...
PLEASE NOTE: We deduct $100 from each of the 12 scheduled 2012 Handicapping Contests and add it to the Final Championship purse, which is now at $3,600. The 2012 Grand winner, in addition to the much coveted bragging rights, takes home a beautiful engraved polished pewter bowl with a racing logo. 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 AND Handicap Contestants deep discounts on all orders placed through the TGC.
A. Handicapping Contest is open to all racing fans, at arbiter's discretion. Entry fee is $100 per person; Bill Hirsch’s entry fee is comped. Each and every contestant is allowed to enter multiple times * at $100 per person/entry, but there still will be only one contest pool. ALL entries are Off-Track.
* A contestant may enter multiple times under an alias.B. Any contestant(s) whose entry fee(s) does not arrive by the declared due date will be subject to a $50 penalty. This penalty must be paid before said contestant(s) may enter another contest.
C. Payouts: If there are 30 or less entries, contest entry fees will be awarded: 50% to the Winner, 30% to Second and 20% to Third. If there are 31 or more entries, contest entry fees will be awarded: 50% to the Winner, 25% to Second, 15% to Third and 10% to fourth. 10% of all contest purse monies shall be withheld for the House, with the exception of the Championship Finale, in which 5% of purse monies shall be withheld for the House.
D. Bets must be a $5 minimum or higher.
E. 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.
F. 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.
G. 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 may 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.
H. 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.
I. 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 "H") will still prevail for this "win" only mutuel situation.
J. All contestants must have their pick(s) called in/emailed/faxed to Bill Hirsch by the designated time selected for that day. Wagers from contestants that are received after the designated time will not be accepted and that contestant(s) will forfeit his entry fees.
K. When a contestant sends his bets to Bill Hirsch prior to the designated deadline-to-submit-bets-time, they shall be deemed "Final". However, any changes will be accepted before the designated deadline.
L. Tie- Breaker: After the Handicapping Contest'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.
M. 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.
N. Bill Hirsch may enter this contest. In accordance with the rules, his race wagers must be sent to contestants by the designated time for that day.
O. Should the home(s) of Bill Hirsch or anyone else that is running this handicap contest be broken into and robbed and the “envelope” containing the handicap contest entry fee monies be stolen or destroyed, Bill Hirsch or those other individuals running the handicap contests shall not be responsible for the stolen monies and the handicap contest shall be deemed cancelled with no refunds.
NOTE: Bill Hirsch will be the sole and final “Arbiter” for conflict resolution.
TOP CUMULATIVE PRIZE WINNERS 