TurfPublicists: NYRA AWARDED "BEST ON TRACK HANDICAPPING TOURNAMENT" AND "BEST NEW TOURNAMENT" HONORS

Friday, December 17, 2010

Contact: Ashley Herriman

NYRA AWARDED “BEST ON TRACK HANDICAPPING TOURNAMENT” AND “BEST NEW TOURNAMENT” HONORS

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – For the second consecutive year, American Turf Monthly magazine has named The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) as the host of the “Best On-Track Handicapping Tournament,” and also honored NYRA with an award for “Best New Tournament” for the inaugural “Battle of Saratoga.”

According to the magazine, the Connys were created to “honor excellence in the world of horse handicapping tournaments.”

In 2010, NYRA hosted a trio of two-day handicapping contests, including the first-ever challenge at Saratoga Race Course. NYRA’s first tournament of the year, held June 26-27 at Belmont Park, was won by Dave Gutfreund of Chicago, with Scott Eyraud of Goose Creek, S.C. taking top prize in the Saratoga contest on August 11-12, and Hesham Ragab of Los Angeles winning the November 13-14 tournament at Aqueduct Racetrack.

“We are honored to be recognized again by American Turf Monthly for our contests at Aqueduct and Belmont, and especially excited that the new Saratoga contest is viewed so positively,” said Kathy Locke, NYRA Special Events Coordinator. “So many individuals at NYRA work together to ensure that players get the most out of on-track tournaments, from prize money to Vegas berth opportunities, and we look forward to maintaining and improving the quality of our program in 2011.”

Each of NYRA’s contests awarded three spots to the 2011 Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) in Las Vegas on January 28-29, 2011. John Conte, who won a 2008 handicapping contest at Belmont Park, went on to win the 2009 NHC and take home the $500,000 first prize.

NYRA contests are limited to approximately 200 players and 100 percent of all entry fees are distributed as prize money.

Players are treated to a complementary lunch buffet and gift bag. Contest entrants are allowed to make mythical win, place, and show wagers with a 15-1 cap on win payouts and an 8-1 cap on place and show payouts.

-30-