Donald Doyle of Marmora, Ontario was the grand prize winner in the I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club’s Pick 8 Online Handicapping Contest, presented in cooperation with the Ontario Sires Stakes and featuring $1,500 in prize money.
Over 300 Fan Club members took part in the Pick 8 contest which challenged players to select the winners in the eight OSS Grassroots Championships at Mohawk Racetrack this past Saturday, September 24. Players were awarded points based on a mythical $2 win, $2 place wager on their selections.
Doyle topped the charts with the highest bankroll of $68.70, and was the only player to select all eight of the Grassroots Championship winners. His handicapping skills landed him the first place prize of $750.
Doyle is a current fan and former owner who used to race at tracks throughout Ontario including Rideau Carleton Raceway, Kawartha Downs and Quinte Raceway.
Two players finished with bankrolls of $67.90 and had the exact same selections so a blind draw was used to break the tie.
Second place and $500 in prize money went to Keigan Madden of New Waterford, Nova Scotia, finishing with a bankroll of $67.90. Madden is a racing fan who was introduced to the sport by a good friend. Throughout the Ontario Sires Stakes season, Keigan has been following Silverinyourpocket. His favorite track to attend is Northside Downs in North Sydney.
Fred Burns of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, also finished with a bankroll of $67.90, and took home third place and a cash prize of $250. Burns has been involved as an owner and fan for the past 25 years. He currently owns Its Harrys Turn, a six-year-old gelding, and Mohawk is his favourite track.
The second Ontario Sires Stakes Pick 8 contest will feature $2,500 in prize money, and will coincide with the Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final events on Saturday, October 15 at Mohawk Racetrack. This contest will be open to members of the I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club on Thursday, October 13.