Rendino wins Aqueduct Challenge

by Najja Thompson

Two others qualify for 2019 NHC Seats in NYRA live-money handicapping challenge

On Saturday, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) hosted the Aqueduct Challenge, the last NYRA live money handicapping challenge of the year which offered more than $26,000 in cash prizes, along with one qualifying seat to the 2019 Belmont Stakes Challenge and two seats to the 2019 National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) in Las Vegas.

Bill Rendino, a native of Bronx, New York, won his first ever NYRA handicapping challenge, ending the day with a bankroll total of $3,727.50 from wagers on races contested at Aqueduct, Churchill Downs, and Gulfstream Park West to capture a contest that featured 107 entries. To enter the tournament, players put forward $500, with half that amount comprising each player’s live bankroll and the remaining $250 contributed to the total prize pool.

In victory, Rendino collected $2,643 in prize money and earned one seat to 2019 Belmont Stakes Challenge.

"This is the first time I've won a NYRA handicapping tournament, so it's great," said Rendino. "I wagered my entire bankroll in the last race at Aqueduct and hit it to take the lead. It’s a great feeling. I chose the Belmont Stakes Challenge seat and it's very exciting. I'm thrilled."

Tony Zhou of Jersey City, New Jersey, finished in second place with a live bankroll of $2,902.50. He earned $1,284 in prize money.

“I already have two NHC seats, so I figured I’d come out and shoot for the Belmont seat,” said Zhou. “Congratulations to the winner. I’m always a fan of these NYRA challenges and hope they continue to become bigger and better.”

With Zhou already double qualified for the NHC, the second-place seat was awarded to fourth-place finisher George Longobardi. First-time tournament player John Geida from Long Island, New York finished in third-place with a bankroll of $1,503.90 and $982 in prize money. Currently not an NHC member, Geida was not qualified to win an NHC seat. The second remaining NHC seat went to sixth-place finisher Paul Stath.

For a full listing of results and prizes awarded for the Aqueduct Challenge, visit NYRABets.com.