Paul Hogan of London, Ontario grabbed the first place prize of $1,200 in the I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club’s Pick 8 Online Handicapping Contest on the Super Finals, presented in cooperation with the Ontario Sires Stakes and featuring $2,500 in total prize money.
.jpg)
The contest challenged players to select the winners in the eight OSS Super Finals at Mohawk Racetrack this past Saturday, October 15. Over 300 people participated in the contest and each person was awarded points based on a mythical $2 win and $2 place wager on their selections.
Hogan ended up with a bankroll of $176.50, selecting five of the eight winners including longshot Arsenal Seelster in the 9th race.
“I picked horses that I have been watching and a couple of dead favourites, but I knew I had to pick a longshot if I wanted to get lucky.”
Paul has been a part-time trainer for the past 40 years and regularly races at The Raceway at Western Fair District and Flamboro Downs.
Second and third place was almost too close to call since the bankrolls were only separated by 10 cents. Mike Hanhan of Brantford, Ontario took second place worth $800 in prize money with his selections giving him a bankroll of $136.40.
For the past 45 years Mike has been a fan of harness racing, regularly attending Mohawk Racetrack and Grand River Raceway. In 2009, Hanhan was also a finalist for the Trot Canada National Handicapping Championship hosted at Rideau Carleton Raceway in Ottawa, Ontario.
Todd Moore of Sydney River, Nova Scotia finished a nose behind in third place, ending with a bankroll of $136.30 and $500 in prize money.
Moore attended his first harness race with his father at Tartan Downs Raceway in Sydney when he was a kid and has been hooked ever since. His favourite track to attend is Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park and he enjoys following the races at Mohawk Racetrack.