Joseph Perry Wins Sports Haven Handicapping Challenge

About the Winner: The winner of the 12^th annual Sports Haven Handicapping Challenge was Joseph Perry from Hamilton, NJ. He is a 48 year old compliance manager for a broker/ dealer company, Pershing on Wall Street. He has been interested in horse racing since he went to the track with his father at the age of eight. He generally attends the races at either Philadelphia Park or Delaware Park. His Sports Haven victory was his fifth tournament win, having won contests at Delaware Park the last three years and a tournament at Atlantic City Race Course. This is the first time he has qualified for the NTRA Championship.

How He did it: Perry started the second day of the contest with $51.10 in his bankroll.  After making several small plays throughout the day, Perry's 7^th bet of the day got serious.  With his bankroll at $46.20, he made a $44 win bet on race 7 at Gulfstream on #2 Clerpark.  The $4.40 horse gave Perry a $96.80 return on his investment.

After two more small plays, Perry went all-in, wagering $105 on the 11^th race at Tampa Bay Downs.  The #6 horse, Payback, stayed true to its name as it returned a win price of $18.60, netting Perry $976.50.  Perry made a $2 show wager on the last contest race (7^th at Santa Anita) of the day, on #1 Rockella.  The horse finished second, giving Perry a $6.20 return, bringing his total earnings to $980.70.

Quotable (as told to the New Haven Register): "This was my third time here and it's definitely my best finish.  I love playing in these tournaments. This is the fifth handicapping contest I've won."

About the Contest: The two-day contest took place February 9-10 at Sports Haven in New Haven, CT.  Prizes were paid through 10^th place while the first three finishers qualified for the Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association Championship in Las Vegas in 2009.  The fourth and fifth place finishers qualified for the 2009 World Series of Handicapping at the Orleans Casino.

Entry fee was $250, all of which was returned as prize money.  An additional $50 was required to make contest wagers.  Contestants played with $20 each day; win, place and show wagers only.  The requirement was to make a minimum of ten wagers each day of the contest. Wagers must be for a minimum of $2; one horse per race.  There was also $10 in wild card wagers that could be played at any time.