Fall BCBC/NHC Challenge Results

A stellar group of 159 players from across North America contested the Fall BCBC/NHC Challenge on Sunday, and local player Nick Mannella came away the big winner.  Nick turned a $2,000 bankroll into $28,314 on the strength of a large double play with the heavily favored entry of Hotshot Anna and Aiken To Be in the 8^thand Royal Mesa,  the 20-1 winner of the 9^thrace.  He held off defending BCBC champ Chuck Grubbs, also of Lexington, who went all in on the 9^thwith a $1,000 win bet on Royal Mesa that netted $21,000.  Long- time leader Dave Nichols of Wayne, PA settled for third place with $19,122.50.  Tommy “The Hammer” Massis killed the first race with $1500 to win on the 9-1 Alex’s Strike, but the Keeneland contest King finished 4^that the end of the day.  Kevin Willett of Hastings, NE snagged the 5^thBCBC spot, continuing a run of success at the Lexington track.

The top five finishers won fully paid entries into the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge at Santa Anita plus a fully paid entry into the National Horseplayers Championship at Bally’s Las Vegas in February.  Prize money was $30,000 for first, $15,000 for second, and on down to $1500 for 6^ththrough 15^thplace.

Due to two double qualifiers, the 8 NHC spots went to 4 of the top 5 (Dave Nichols was double qualified), and the 7^th through 10^th finishers (David Rink was double qualified).  NHC winners are as follows:  Nick Mannella, Chuck Grubbs, Tommy Massis, Kevin Willett, Jim Staub, Paul Weizer, Randy Gallo, and Julie Loboyko.  The top finishers with bankroll and prize money are listed below:

1. Nick Mannella              $28,314                       $30,000           BCBC and NHC
2. Chuck Grubbs               $21,000                       $15,000           BCBC and NHC
3. Dave Nichols                $19,122                       $  8,000            BCBC
4. Tommy Massis              $17,388                       $  4,000            BCBC and NHC
5. Kevin Willett                $17,061                       $  3,000            BCBC and NHC
6. David Rink                    $12,405                       $  1,500            
7. Jim Staub                     $  9,962                        $  1,500            NHC
8. Paul Weizer                  $  9,900                        $  1,500            NHC
9. Randy Gallo                  $  8,550                        $  1,500            NHC
10. Julie Loboyko               $  7,600                        $  1,500            NHC
11. Dave Williams              $  6,069                        $  1,500
12. Paul Scott                     $  6,008                        $  1,500
13. Anthony Laurino           $  5,800                        $  1,500
14. Paul Shurman               $  5,701                        $  1,500
15. Jim Metzger                 $  1,500