TurfPublicists: CLEMENTS TAKES LEAD INTO CLUBHOUSE AFTER DAY ONE OF AQUEDUCT HANDICAPPING CHALLENGE

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Contact: Dan Silver

CLEMENTS TAKES LEAD INTO CLUBHOUSE AFTER DAY ONE OF AQUEDUCT HANDICAPPING CHALLENGE

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Frank Clements finished Day 1 of Aqueduct’s 2010 Fall Handicapping Challenge with a mythical bank roll of $640, good enough for first place halfway through the two-day contest. Bill Rendino ($499) was in second place with Scott Carson ($481) in third.

The Fall Challenge attracted 220 players, all aiming to capture the first prize of more than $37,600 and earn one of three entries to the NTRA/Daily Racing Form National Handicapping Championship (NHC) in Las Vegas. The victor of the NHC, which takes place January 28-29, 2010, at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa, will take home the winner’s share of a $1.1 million purse and the crown of North America’s top horseplayer.

The Aqueduct Fall Challenge format allows players nine $20 win, place, or show mythical wagers and one $40 wager during both days of the weekend contest. Players can choose to wager on any race from Aqueduct, Calder, and Churchill Downs. At least five of each player’s ten daily wagers must be made on Aqueduct.

For finishing in the lead after Day 1, Clements earned himself a $1,000 bonus prize. The player with the highest Day 2 bankroll will also win $1,000. The top 20 overall finishers in the Fall Handicapping Challenge following the final contest race on Sunday will be awarded a cash prize, while the top three also qualify for the NHC.

Founded in 1955, and franchised to run thoroughbred racing at New York’s three major tracks through 2033, NYRA boasts a lineage that actually stretches back almost 150 years. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of the state’s thoroughbred business which contributes more than $2 billion annually to New York State’s urban, suburban and rural economy. In 2009, more than 1.6 million people attended the live races at NYRA tracks. Factoring nationwide off-track wagering, the average daily betting handle on NYRA races alone totals more than $9.3 million every race day. NYRA has a vast network of websites, including www.nyra.com, www.belmontstakes.com, and www.nyragroupsales.com. You can also follow NYRA on social media platforms Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, and YouTube.

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