Earns $2,310 in Prize Money and Berth in Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge

LAUREL, MD – Henry Villari of Port Republic, Md. finished with a bankroll balance of $3,007 to capture the fall session of the Maryland Jockey Club Champions Handicapping Tournament held on Maryland Pride Day, Saturday, Aug. 17 at Laurel Park.

Villari earned $2,310 in prize money and ended with a comfortable margin over runner-up David Stone of Rockville, Md., who closed the day with a bankroll balance of $2,648 and took home $1,540 in prize money.

The tournament was open to players for $300, which covered a $100 entry fee and $200 bankroll. In addition to prize money, the top four finishers qualified for automatic berths to the National Handicapping Championship (NHC), Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) or The BIG ONE.

For the third straight year, the tournament was held in Laurel’s refurbished second-floor clubhouse sports bar. There were no mandatory races during the contest but players were required to make a $20 minimum wager on races from Laurel, Gulfstream Park, Saratoga Race Course, Monmouth Park and Woodbine.

Given his choice of four tournament berths, Villari selected the BCBC to be held Nov. 1-2 at Santa Anita, while Stone selected a berth in the BIG ONE Sept. 21 and 22 at Laurel Park.

Third place went to James Michael of Cherry Hill, N.J., who finished with a balance of $2,038 and earned $778 in prize money, while Robin Buser of Delran, N.J. was fourth with a balance of $1,607.10 and earned $462. Both players also earned berths in the NHC, scheduled for February 2020 in Las Vegas.

Rounding out the top 10 finishers were Mike McIntyre with a tournament balance of $1,424, Bob Galvin ($1,357.50), Stanley Bavish ($1,006.40), Michael Webb ($757.40), Clint Anuszewski ($684) and Dave Sayer ($655). Each player took home $462 in prize money.

The spring session of the MJC Champions Handicapping Tournament held March 16 at Laurel was won by Alex Bertram of Kingsville, Md., who chose a berth in the BCBC. Other winners from the spring tournament were Mark Sapperstein (BIG ONE), Dick Jerardi (NHC) and D.G. Metzger (NHC).