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SAMUEL AUERBACH WINS “THE BIG ONE” AT ELLIS PARK; LARGEST NON-BREEDERS’ CUP RACETRACK CONTEST PURSE OF ALL TIME
HENDERSON, KY, September 3, 2013 — Samuel Auerbach of Staten Island, New York, took first place in the inaugural “The BIG One” at Ellis Park, a mega-handicapping contest held Labor Day weekend at Ellis Park Race Course in Henderson, Kentucky. The $292,000 purse of the event (not including other prizes) represents the richest known handicapping contest to be held at a racetrack in the United States outside of a contest run in conjunction with the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.
Auerbach finished on top of a field of 54 total players and took home the top prize of $115,000. Ed Menize of Elk Grove, California, was the runner-up and took home $57,800. Cash prizes were paid down to 10th place, with the 10th place finisher receiving $7,750.
In addition to cash prizes, the top 10 finishers received seats and accomodations to the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship, the industry’s recognized and pre-eminent annual national championship of handicapping.
“The BIG One” contest covered two days, August 31 to September 1. Players made 15 mythical $2 Win/Place wagers each day on a single horse. Races were divided between eight mandatory plays and seven optional plays from an eligible roster of five racetracks, which included Ellis Park, Saratoga, Monmouth Park, Arlington Park and Del Mar. Auerbach compiled a total bankroll of $173.10, Menize second with $157.00. The format of the contest was designed to mimic conditions players will face at the National Handicapping Championship.
While there have been handicapping contests that have carried larger total purses in the past, to industry knowledge, none have ever been held at a racetrack other than one held in conjunction with the Breeders’ Cup. Therefore, Ellis Park now holds the distinction of owning the richest known non-Breeders’ Cup racetrack handicapping contest.
51 of the field of 54 players qualified to play in the final through HorseTourneys.com, an affiliate handicapping contest website of Ellis Park. Players qualified to the event for as little as $38 through various feeder contests held since January, 2013.
“We’re absolutely thrilled at the response to “The BIG One” and are very pleased with how the event went this weekend,” said Ron Geary, co-owner of Ellis Park Race Course. “Ellis Park now becomes a must-stop destination on the major handicapping contest circuit, and we look forward to making the event even more attractive next year and beyond.”
Questions should be directed to McKay Smith at HorseTourneys.com at support@horsetourneys.com.
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