News & Barn notes

Shurman Finishes Strong to Capture $2,000 Pick Your Prize Challenge

June 06, 2017

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Monmouth Park’s biggest handicapping contest ever was held Saturday, June 3 and the winner was Paul Shurman of Dix Hills, NY. 

Shurman bested a field that included 172 entries from players from 26 states plus Canada.It was a star-studded field for the second-annual $2,000 Pick Your Prize Challenge – in which players started with a $1,000 bankroll and bet on races from Monmouth Park, Belmont and Churchill.  There was a $100 minimum bet and wagers had to be win, place, show and/or exacta. 

Shurman turned his starting $1,000 bankroll into $8,190 and used a strong late push to catapult to the lead.  Down to his last $255, Shurman went all-in with exactas using the favorite in Monmouth Park’s last race over three horses.  He connected with a longshot in the second spot and the resulting payout was enough to launch him all the way into the contest top-spot. 

By finishing first, Shurman automatically earned a cash prize of $11,745 and received two picks from the prize board which included 17 NHC seats, 6 BCBC seats and $39,240 cash.With his two picks, Shurman selected a BCBC seat and $15,696. 

In total, the Top 23 finishers received at least one selection from the prize board: 

Finish Name Bankroll Prize
1st Paul Shurman $8,190 $27,441, BCBC seat
2nd Thomas O’Connor $5,645.60 $15,158, NHC seat
3rd Phil Lam $4,705 $8,363, BCBC seat
4th Roger Cettina $4,485 $6,273, BCBC seat
5th Joe Perry $4,306.50 $4,966, BCBC seat
6th Bill Rendino $3,920 NHC seat, BCBC seat
7th Cheryl McIntyre $3,892.50 $1,962
8th William Meisel $3,868 NHC seat
9th Stephanie Davis $3,683.50 NHC seat
10th Ryan Scharnowske $3,450.60 NHC seat
11th Roger Cettina $3,436 $1,177
12th Berry McQueen $2,914 NHC seat
13th Pete Acocella $2,850 NHC seat
14th Jerry McClenin $2,828.50 NHC seat
15th Pat Nufrio $2,600.60 NHC seat
16th Duke Matties $2,085 NHC seat
17th Paul Matties $2,027.50 NHC seat
18th Steve Orrechio $1,975 NHC seat
19th Evan Trommer $1,961 NHC seat
20th Brent Sumja $1,893.50 NHC seat
21st Jeff Busan $1,891.50 NHC seat
22nd John O’Neil $1,870 NHC seat
23rd O Benjamin $1,860 NHC seat