It's That Time Again!

A number of you have asked if we will be holding our handicapping tournament again this year. Foolish people! Of course we will, and here are the early details:

The contest consists of three separate contests and an overall winner. 

• The "50 Derby point" contest begins on February 21 and runs through March 22. There are eight, 50 point races you will be wagering on.

• The "100 Derby point" contest begins on March 28 and runs through April 11. There are seven, 100 point races you will be wagering on.

• The Triple Crown contest consists of the Derby, Preakness and Belmont.

• The overall winner will be based on total dollars won in all three contests and will pay 20% of each of the pools in contests a, b and c above.

• Entry fee is $300, which includes all contests. The winner each week of the contest will receive $100 with the total remaining prize pool for each contest being divided 70% to the winner and 30% to the second place finisher. 

• Rock Shandy's namesake, Ron German, will again be Commissioner and will make all final contest decisions. Donegal is presenting a $250 gift certificate to Mr. German to Scott Kahler's Donegal apparel store to thank him for his services. You may all access the same store on the Donegal web site.

• If you select a horse that is scratched, you will be given the post time favorite unless you submit a timely written change of entry.

•  All entries will be due by Noon of race day.

• Entry fee of $300 should be mailed, or otherwise delivered, to Alex Cimino at 1701 Ruan Center, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 no later than February 15.

• In each race contestants will wager $100. $80 must be wagered win, place and/or show in any combination, but only one horse can be selected. The remaining $20 can be bet on exactas only (if you choose), and every exacta combination MUST include your horse from the $80 wager. If you want to wager all $100 in the win/place/show pools you may do so.

Please note that we have members of Donegal Nation that have won big handicapping tournaments this year (talking about you guys Elliott H. and Matt B.), so the competition will be fierce. 

And finally, some of you have asked if you can invite your friends to compete. Of course you can!

We will be back to you as the contests draw closer.

Jerry