Harold Whymeyer of Scranton, Pennsylvania was the grand prize winner of a trip for two to the Dan Patch Awards weekend, sponsored by Caesars Entertainment.
The contest was run by the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) and Scott Alberg.
Whymeyer and Tom Daly of Rockaway, New Jersey were the only two people out of more than 400 contestants to correctly select the winning exacta in the $1 million Hambletonian Stakes on Aug. 5 at The Meadowlands.
Both winners were entered in the random number indicator spin wheel that was done live on the USHWA Facebook page and Whymeyer was selected the grand prize winner while Daly won a $250 cash card for second place. The third-place prize of a $150 cash card was won by Dragomir Cosanici of Elk Grove, California.
“I have been playing the contests on Scott Alberg’s page for a few years now,” said Whymeyer. “I won once before when the prizes were a box of candy bars. This is a little different.”
How long has Whymeyer been following harness racing?
“My dad and I have been going to the track since I was a kid,” explained Whymeyer. “I have always loved harness racing. Been going to Pocono Downs before it became a casino.”
Whymeyer’s grand prize includes roundtrip airfare for two to Orlando, Florida, a two-night stay at Rosen’s Centre Resort, two tickets to the Dan Patch Awards dinner on Sunday, Feb. 25, a $250 cash gift card for expenses and access to the USHWA Hospitality Suite on Saturday and Sunday.
“Of course, this is a great trip to win,” said Whymeyer. “I look forward to meeting many of the great horsepeople and the award winners.”
Perhaps the most important question was if Whymeyer backed up his contest play. Hambletonian winner Tactical Approach paid $26.80 to win from post 10 and the exacta of 10-2 paid $159.40.
“Of course, I bet it,” said Whymeyer. “I even had it to win. Scott Z, the money man, always shows up. All and all it was a great day.”
(United States Harness Writers Association)