Longtime racing fan Schmeling Ramlall emerged the victor of the summer edition of Grand River Raceway's Geek Squad Championship, held at the Elora, ON track yesterday.
Ramlall - a retired schoolteacher from Waterloo, ON - won $1,000 in the seven-round challenge.
Ramlall conquered in the final test - a Spelling Bee based on horse names. He clinched the grand prize with 'Bettors Delight.'
For the past four months, avid racing fans have been winning their way into the Grand River Raceway Geek Squad for the chance to compete in the three season championships worth $5,000. A trip for two to the Little Brown Jug was won by Brad Lichty in the spring edition of the contest.
Patrons are qualified through various events, such as handicapping tournaments and Geek Squad Trivia, which is offered nightly on the Tarmac Show.
The fall edition of the Grand River Raceway Geek Squad kicks off on September 2. The Fall Geek Squad Handicapping Tournament runs Monday and Tuesday nights from September 8 to 23. The top 10 finishers from each leg are automatically qualified for the Geek Squad, and to compete in the handicapping tournament finals on September 29 and 30.
The winners of the two finals will also advance to represent Grand River Raceway at the TROT National Handicapping Championship at Woodbine on October 18.
The Fall Geek Squad Championship event will be staged on October 27, where the grand prize is a trip for two to Las Vegas.
(Grand River Raceway)