After the grueling task of handicapping 14 tracks over 2 days, Michael Beychok accrued a bankroll of $238.60, and he needed every last buck as Beychok proved victorious by the slimmest margin of victory in the 13 renditions of the National Handicapping Championship, $1.00. In addition to laying claim as “handicapper of the year”, Beychok takes home the $1 million first place prize. Beychok, 48, is co-owner of a direct mailings firm from Baton Rouge, LA and qualified for this year’s NHC at twinspires.com. Beychok found himself in a good striking position in 23rd place after Friday with a bankroll of $106.40. On Saturday, he starting climbing towards the top when Hooh Why ($37.40/$11.00) scored in Gulfstream Park’s 8th race. Dave Flanzbaum ($237.60), from Rolling Meadows, IL, was the closest challenger to the champ, and lead most of Saturday, but was overtaken when Beychok hit the 9th (and final) race at Golden Gate Fields with Glorious Dancer ($8.20/$3.80). Flanzbaum will take home $150,000 for finishing second, not too bad for a weekend at the track. This may not have been Flanzbaum’s best weekend at the track though. He is partners with former jockey, Rene Douglas and others in Good Friends Stable, owner of 2010 Prince of Wales Stakes (2nd leg of Canadian triple crown) winner, Golden Moka.
Nolan White from Canton, TX was the halfway leader by accruing a bankroll of $164.30 on day 1, but faded to 13th place after only adding $20.00 to his bankroll Saturday and takes home $7,000. Tournament veteran, Gaylord Grundy stood in 4th after Friday, was in neutral all day Saturday and checked in 4th ($196.10), good for $50,000. Other familiar names in handicapping circles made respectable showings but never seriously threatened:
Steven Davidowitz ($157.30, 29th place) and
David “The Maven” Gutfreund slipped from 28th on Friday to 123rd on Saturday. Finally, NHC Tour champion, Paul Shurman moved from 30th on Friday all the way to 4th, looked poised to take home the championship, plus a $2 million bonus, plateaued and held for 6th place ($195.90). Davidowitz won $1,575 and Shurman $26,000 in prize money.
Derby Wars qualifiers had a nice tournament as a whole. Phil Hoedebeck, who got as high as 4th during Saturday, fell to 20th by tournament’s end with a $170.00 bankroll and $2,000 for his efforts. Frank Sorensen finished with a flourish to climb into 31st with $154.40 to take home $1,525, Travis Reese 86th place with $123.80 and Argie Bertolucci in 461st with $18.40.
In addition to the
$1 million check Beychok receives, he will travel to Gulfstream Park in January 2013 to receive an Eclipse Award acknowledging him as the year’s top handicapper.
If there's a lesson to take away from this weekend, its the value of a dollar, $1, without a doubt.