Twenty-four teams of horseplayers from across Ontario competed for more than $16,000 in cash and prizes on March 17 in the finals of the 2011 ROMP Handicapping League presented by the Racetracks Of Ontario Marketing & Promotions
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Finalists represented the top teams from each of the participating tracks: Clinton, Flamboro, Hanover, Georgian, Grand River, Hiawatha and Western Fair. Nearly 250 players from 80 teams competed in qualifying rounds each Thursday night for the past eight weeks.
The San Diegos team from Western Fair took the lion’s share of the grand prize with a bankroll of $181.70 based on hypothetical $2 win and place wagers over 10 races from Thursday night cards of harness racing at Woodbine, The Meadowlands and Rideau Carleton.
Their standing was mediocre going into their final selection of the competition. But team members Steve Bossence, Dominic DiCicco and Greg Darnell shot straight to the top when 60-1 shot Dancers Cam took the final dash at Woodbine.
Gar-Al (Flamboro), Foolishey (Hiawatha) and Bet The Farm (Grand River) also had Dancers Cam on their card, resulting in a nail-biter for the top four spots. South Siders (Hiawatha) rounded out the money winners.
The top five standings are as follows:
1st: San Diegos from Western Fair ($181.70 bankroll)
Prize: $5,000 + 1 seat per team member at the Trot Canada National Handicapping Championship in Fall 2011 (date/location TBA) to compete for $25,000
2nd: Gar-Al from Flamboro ($179.60 bankroll)
Prize: $4,000 ($2,500 + 25% of added monies)
3rd: Foolishey from Hiawatha ($169.70 bankroll)
Prize: $1920 ($1,200 + 12% of added monies)
4th: Bet The Farm from Grand River ($161.00 bankroll)
Prize: $1280 ($800 + 8 % of added monies)
5th: South Siders from Hiawatha ($55.80 bankroll)
Prize: $800 ($500 + 5% of added monies)
ROMP extends its appreciation to all players who participated in this league — the first of its kind in Ontario. Standings from the final are available on the Tags