Monday, November 12, 2007

Ellis Park Finishes the Year with 4 Handicapping Contests

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:


Bob Jackson
Director of Operations
Ellis Park Race Course
Office: 812-435-8901


ELLIS PARK’S HANDICAPPING CONTEST THE BEST YET

HENDERSON, Ky. – Ellis Park Race Course completed its first year of four major handicapping tournaments Saturday with their TRADITIONAL Handicapping Contest while qualifying three more people for the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC). Las Vegas will host the 2008 NHC in January with over $1 million in prize money.

The top three finishers in the contest not only received berths to compete in the NHC in Las Vegas but cash prizes as well. Prize money was distributed through 10th place.

Jim Michelson traveled from Michigan to earn his third berth to the NHC as well as $5,000 for first place.

“My son Jamie and I do several of these contests a year. [Jamie] won the championship two years ago,” said Michelson.

Making his fifth trip to an Ellis Park contest was Eric Isaacson from Indianapolis who finished second in the contest.

Larry Moore from Louisville, Ky rounded out the top three by qualifying for his second NHC.

Contestants wagered mythical $2 win and place bets on ten simulcasted races at Churchill Downs.

2007 marked the first year Ellis Park hosted four DRF/NTRA handicapping qualifying tournaments making it the first track in the U.S. to host that many contests in a year.

“It was the biggest contest we’ve had with 172 entries,” said Ellis Park Owner/President Ron Geary.

“It was an extremely exciting contest,” said Geary. “There were 10 people that just kept flipping the results back and forth.”

Ellis Park plans to host at least four DRF/NTRA qualifying handicapping contests in 2008.

Ellis Park, located in Henderson. Ky., is the home of the Gardenia Stakes (GIII). The live race meet begins July 4 and concludes Labor Day.


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