Sports
Huntington Man Wins Handicapping Contest at Belmont Park
Michael Emanuele hits long shot on final race, beats out 248 others for $40,000, trip to Las Vegas.
If you're looking for a tip at the track, you might ask Michael Emanuele.
Competing for the first time in a handicapping contest at Belmont Park, the 47-year-old Huntington resident beat 248 contestants Sunday to win the $40,000 grand prize in the 2012 Summer Handicapping Challenge.
According to a New York Racing Association report, Emanuele finished the two-day contest with a mythical bankroll of $1,512. He jumped from 13th to first by picking long shot, Black Ana Splash, in the final race of the day, according to the NYRA.
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Emanuele will head to Las Vegas in January as part of a three-man team representing Belmont Park in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association/Daily Racing Form National Handicapping Championship.
The Belmont Summer Challenge format allowed players nine $20 win, place, or show mythical wagers and one $40 wager during both days of the weekend contest. Players could choose to wager on any race from Belmont, Monmouth Park and Churchill Downs, with at least five of each player’s 10 daily wagers made on Belmont races, acording to the NYRA.
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