How would you like a 34-1 shot of winning $25,000? Well those are the odds for the players in this year’s Trot Canada National Handicapping Championship, which will take place at The Raceway at Western Fair District on Saturday, November 12
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Standardbred Canada annually coordinates the TCNHC, which has featured a $25,000 grand prize for the past three years. Tracks and associations from across the country purchase spots in the event and run qualifying events throughout the year to determine the players for the championship. Players have to win a qualifying event to have a seat at the table.
The 34 finalists will handicap 15 races from the 34 total races carded between Western Fair, Georgian Downs and Woodbine Racetrack and make $2 win and place wagers on one horse in those 15 races. Players will have to make wagers on five mandatory races and they’ll get to select ten additional races. The person who finishes with the highest bankroll (which is based on the payouts from the horses if they finish first or second) at the end of the night will be crowned the TCNHC champion and walk away with the $25K!
The TCNHC was the first ever national Standardbred Handicapping Championship and is a nationwide initiative aimed at fans and horseplayers. 2011 marks the fifth consecutive year for this event.
The participants have won their way into the championship by qualifying at an event at their local track, teletheatre or online over the course of the year. This group of 34 actually represents thousands of racing fans who played in their local events to qualify. The Breeders Crown Fantasy Pool, one of the more recent qualifying events enticed 962 entrants online.
The handicapping ability ranges from the novice to the astute veteran. The players range in age; some are lifelong racing fans and a handful are relatively new to the sport. There are business professionals, trades people, and retirees. Dean MacNevin from Charlottetown, PEI, returns as the defending champion. There are also a number of return players from previous year’s championships, including Corrine Lichty from Elmira, Don Sproxton from Mississauga, Conrad Perry from Clermont, PEI and Blaine Baglole from Cornwall, PEI.
The players will be hosted at the Hilton Hotel in London and will take part in a welcome reception and lunch on Saturday before heading over to The Raceway for the championship. The competition will take place in the Carousel Room and The Raceway at Western Fair’s Greg Blanchard will provide live updates and conduct player interviews on their in-house simulcast show.
SC will have an update on the championship at the half way point and a complete report following the completion of the event and winners’ presentations.