Q&A With Sarah Crouse, Aqueduct Handicapping Contest Champ

Crouse before a handicapping tournament. (Photo courtesy NYRA)
Sarah Crouse won the Wood Memorial Handicapping Contest and the grand prize of $10,000 at Aqueduct on April 4 with a courageous all-in bet on Hop Skip and Away in the contest’s final race, the 12th race at Aqueduct.
Crouse bet $100 to win, $62 to show, and $120 in $10 exactas with Hop Skip and Away (at 8.90-to-1 odds) in first and second and connected on all three bets to vault from out of the top five to first place.
The victory capped a remarkable comeback for Crouse whose bankroll had dwindled from $200 down to $52 earlier in the day before another all-in bet on Princess Violet in the Grade 1 Madison Stakes at Keeneland Race Course gave her new life in the contest.
Crouse took a few minutes to talk about her interest in the sport and contest victory with ABR ambassador Dan Tordjman. 
1. How were you introduced to horse racing and handicapping?
I was introduced to horse racing by my dad and my uncle as a young girl. I wasn't introduced to handicapping until I met my fiancé in 2010.
2. Do you handicap horses full time? Is it just something you occasionally do for fun?
I do not handicap horses full time nor do I consider myself a handicapper. I got into handicapping after realizing how involved my fiancé was. I wanted to have a reason to bet on the horses outside of their names or colors. Since then, I have grown to understand more and more about handicapping through our business, Trip Handicapping. Trip Handicapping allows us to analyze every horse in every race, produce trip notes about the race and assign a 1-5 star rating on the top 3-4 finishers. This is where I've had the most exposure to the world of handicapping.
3. How long have you been playing the races, and when did you start playing in tournaments?
I have been a casual bettor for the past five years. This was my second time playing in a tournament.
4. Tell us briefly, why you decided to enter the Wood Memorial tournament at Aqueduct?
The Wood is a huge day of racing, and I planned to spend the entire day at Longshots with family and friends. I figured the contest was a good way for me to control the amount of money I’d be spending in the day. The contest simply enhanced a day at the track for me. I was able to have some drinks, enjoy the company of family and friends, and have a purpose for spending nearly eight hours at the track. It was not only an opportunity for me to win some money but it was an opportunity for me to learn a little bit more about the game than I would have had I just bet like a normal day.
CROUSE'S PARENTS AT DEL MAR

Photo courtesy Sarah Crouse
5. At what point in the day did you start believing that you had a real shot at winning the tournament?
I honestly thought I was dead when I went all in with my remaining $52 on Princess Violet in the Madison. Winning that brought me back up to $300 and I was able to grow that to about $500 after the Bay Shore [Stakes]. That’s when I thought that I could at least finish in the money.
6. What did it feel like to win?
The feeling is indescribable. I was jumping up and down screaming when Hop Skip and Away took first in the last race at Aqueduct, simply because it was the biggest bet I've ever made. I've never put in a $100 win bet. It didn’t even register to me at the finish line that my winnings could put me in first place. It was an incredible feeling.
7. What kind of responses have you gotten from people in the racing world since winning the tournament?
Everything that I’ve heard has been positive. I’ve received many congratulations from people that I’ve encountered but I’m not present on many social media networks to hear much of anything else. The only negative feedback that I’ve heard from the racing world has been how silly it was for me to not be a member of NHC. But my reasons for entering the contest didn’t involve the NHC, so I don’t mind their opinions. Plus, I was able to give my seat away to the third-place finisher, who I’m sure is a much bigger player in the game than I am. I’m happy that my lack of membership afforded him a seat in Vegas [for the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship].
8. Talk about what it’s like being a female horseplayer in the male-dominated sphere of handicapping.
It’s not a really big deal to me, personally, because I only really bet about twice a month. If anybody thinks that men are better handicappers, just because, that says much more about that person rather than their absurd point. Women are absolutely as analytical and capable as men are.
9. What can horse racing do to appeal more to women, both from a general marketing standpoint and to compel more women to give horse betting a shot?
I think attempting to appeal to women specifically is a misnomer. Racing needs to appeal to more people, period. That has to start by showing them that one, horse racing is more than the Kentucky Derby; it’s a full-fledged sport. And two, people need to be taught the basics of how to handicap, how to bet, and how they can make money.
10. What are some of your racing related and/or handicapping goals?
I’d like to be able to learn more, so I can hit Pick 4s and whatnot, like my fiancé and his friends do. They make it look so easy! I'd also like to be able to get to a place where I can make consistent, accurate opinions to contribute to our business.
DERBY HANDICAPPING SEMINAR ESSENTIALS

Photo courtesy Sarah Crouse

RAPID-FIRE ROUND
11. What’s your favorite racetrack?
Santa Anita and Saratoga. Dead heat.
12. Who is your favorite horse of all time?
Hop Skip and Away
13. Who is your Derby pick at this moment?
Dortmund, but I'll play against him to try and win some money.
14. What does the rest of your Derby trifecta look like?
I haven’t solidified my Derby plays yet, but I'll probably center my play around some prices like Upstart and Danzig Moon.