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Ross Gallo of West Palm Beach captured last months Orleans Hotel National Handicapping Challenge in Las Vegas and took home $114,000.
Contestants made 12 mythical $100 win bets at any of eight race tracks across the country from Aqueduct and Gulfstream Park to Santa Anita, each day of the three-day event. Basically, it was a longshot-picking contest. Pari-mutuel prices translated into points. Higher payoffs resulted in higher scores. Gallo scored 10,022 points, averaging $28.60 for his seven winners. This year's top prize was worth $20,625 more than in 1998 when Las Vegas radio personality Ralph Siraco beat out 536 other handicappers. Second prize was worth $51,000 and third place netted $30,000. Other Floridians in the contest included brothers Tom and Fred Grimes of Palm Bay who finished 41st with 4,900 points. They also selected seven winners, but averaged $14. The brothers shared an entry and were only 32 of the top 50 who picked at least two winners each day. Their reward: $750. The hotel provided breakfast and lunch so players could concentrate on their wagers. Players also received special room rates, free Daily Racing Forms and souvenirs. Gallo, 39, who wagers at Fort Pierce Jai-alai Fronton simulcasting outlet when he's not visiting Gulfstream two or three times a week during the season, moved south 20 years ago from New England. Unlike many in the competition, he didn't use a computer. "You must be around smart people and absorb all the knowledge you can," he said. Gallo, a single parent with a college-age daughter, will put his winnings to good use. "I may get married again."
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The copyright of the article Fantasy Becomes Rewarding Reality in Horse Racing is owned by Greg Melikov. Permission to republish Fantasy Becomes Rewarding Reality in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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