Racing
Fall BCBC/NHC Challenge Results
October 16, 2019A 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 8thand Royal Mesa, the 20-1 winner of the 9thrace. He held off defending BCBC champ Chuck Grubbs, also of Lexington, who went all in on the 9thwith 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 4that the end of the day. Kevin Willett of Hastings, NE snagged the 5thBCBC 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 6ththrough 15thplace.
Due to two double qualifiers, the 8 NHC spots went to 4 of the top 5 (Dave Nichols was double qualified), and the 7th through 10th 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:
- Nick Mannella $28,314 $30,000 BCBC and NHC
- Chuck Grubbs $21,000 $15,000 BCBC and NHC
- Dave Nichols $19,122 $ 8,000 BCBC
- Tommy Massis $17,388 $ 4,000 BCBC and NHC
- Kevin Willett $17,061 $ 3,000 BCBC and NHC
- David Rink $12,405 $ 1,500
- Jim Staub $ 9,962 $ 1,500 NHC
- Paul Weizer $ 9,900 $ 1,500 NHC
- Randy Gallo $ 8,550 $ 1,500 NHC
- Julie Loboyko $ 7,600 $ 1,500 NHC
- Dave Williams $ 6,069 $ 1,500
- Paul Scott $ 6,008 $ 1,500
- Anthony Laurino $ 5,800 $ 1,500
- Paul Shurman $ 5,701 $ 1,500
- Jim Metzger $ 1,500