Longtime Grand River Raceway patron Dave Purdy triumphed in the 10-week ‘Winter Wednesdays Handicapping Tournament,’ which concluded on April 30.
Purdy had the highest cumulative hypothetical bankroll ($346.80) of nearly 200 players. The feat earned him $2,000.
The Elora, Ont. horseplayer kicked off the contest on February 26 with hypothetical $2 Win and Place wagers on six simulcast races which grossed $154.20 and propelled him to the top of the standings. Although others closed in, he clung to the top spot for the duration of the contest.
Purdy has been a fan of harness racing for over 30 years and used to own and train Standardbreds. He has finished well in several of Grand River Raceway’s handicapping tournaments over the years, including a $1,300 payday for a fourth-place finish in the 2011 ROMP Handicapping Tournament with his team of three called ‘Bet The Farm.’
Rounding out the Winter Wednesdays top five:
Name of Player - Prize - Bankroll
Dave Purdy - $2,000 - $346.80
Larry Pyear - $600 - $326.60
Paul McTaggart - $250 - $294.80
Brian Evans - $100 - $278.40
Ron Uhrig - $50 - $275.70
The free-to-play Winter Wednesdays Handicapping Tournament awarded $5,000 in weekly and grand prizes to 65 players.
Grand River Raceway’s next free handicapping contest kicks off on opening night of the track’s 2014 live racing season (Monday, June 2 – first-race post time 6:30 p.m.).
Complete standings are available here.
(Grand River)