Turf vs Tech Handicapping Challenge for May 2
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The Turf vs Tech Handicapping Challenge is a public tournament featuring some of the best handicappers from the world of Thoroughbred racing taking on some of the best and brightest from the tech world. Many of racing's new fans are building their own companies or working on the next great mobile app and we thought it would be great to see what happens when they take on established handicappers in some of America's best races.
Stay tuned as this group of tech all-stars take on some of America's most recognizable handicappers in a winner-takes-all battle that pits the new school against the old school.
Matt Bernier
Matt Bernier is one of the most highly regarded young handicappers in America. He was featured on the “Horseplayers” reality television show on Esquire Network.
Nadeem Kassam
Nadeem Kassam is an entrepreneur, husband and father who has recently discovered horse racing and just how awesome it really is. The founder of Biobeats and Basis Science, which he recently sold to Intel for more than $100-million, Kassam is not a gambler but is very interesting in learning more about Thoroughbreds. This will be his first Kentucky Derby.
GAME ON
This week our two handicappers will have a $100 bankroll with which to use on the $1-million Kentucky Derby, Race 11, Saturday, Churchill Downs.
BERNIER
It's the first Saturday in May, and that means one thing and one thing only - it's time for the Kentucky Derby! I'll admit I had some of the wind knocked out of my sails with the defection of Hoppertunity due to a bruised foot, but the show must go on! California Chrome will be the heavy favorite in the 140th edition of the Run for the Roses, and rightfully so ... but we're looking to make a big score here. He'll be used - but only defensively. I'll be keying around a horse who's 20-to-1 on Mike Battaglia's morning line.
The pace figures to be a hot one, so I'm going to be looking for a horse to come from behind and make one run. Although his best races to date have come on synthetic surfaces and turf, I'm going with #14 Medal Count on top overall and as my "key" horse in exotics. Being by Dynaformer, sire of 2006 Derby winner Barbaro, out of an Unbridled's Song mare, Medal Count will be one of the few in the field that will relish the 10-furlong distance of the Derby, and all indications are he's training like a machine on the Churchill Downs surface. Dale Romans has come out and said that Medal Count is/has been his best shot at winning the Kentucky Derby - high praise from a trainer who has saddled the likes of Sharp Humor and Shackleford.
In the immediate aftermath of the Arkansas Derby, I wasn't impressed with the race as a whole - how could anyone be when a 41-to-1 shot wins like a 4-to-5 shot should? Upon further review ... I was wrong. I think Danza ran a MASSIVE race, and I wouldn't be shocked to see him put forth another huge effort Saturday afternoon.
Realistically, if California Chrome runs back to his Santa Anita Derby and can handle the added ground, then the rest of the field is running for second. That is a big IF, though. He's got immense talent; I just think there are a fair amount of questions regarding a horse that is going to be 3-to-1 in a 20-horse field.
The bets:
$20 to win: #14 Medal Count = $20
$4 exacta part wheel: 14 with 4,5,12,16,18,20 = $24
$1 exacta part wheel: 4,5,12,16,18,20 with 14 = $6
$.50 trifecta part wheel: 14 with 4,5,12,20 with 4,5,12,16,18,20 = $10
$.50 trifecta part wheel: 4,5,12,20 with 14 with 4,5,12,16,18,20 = $10
$.50 trifecta part wheel: 4,5,12,20 with 4,5,12,16,18,20 with 14 = $10
$.50 trifecta part wheel: 4,5,12,16,18,20 with 4,5,12,20 with 14 = $10
$.50 trifecta part wheel: 4,5,12,16,18,20 with 14 with 4,5,12,20 = $10
TOTAL: $100
KASSAM
$7 win-place-show: #12 Dance With Fate ($21)
$7 win-place-show: #6 Samraat ($21)
$7 win-place-show: #14 Medal Count ($21)
$5 win: #4 Danza
$1 exacta box: 5,6,12,14,18 (California Chrome, Samraat, Dance With Fate, Medal Count, Candy Boy) ($20)
$1 trifecta box: 6,12,14 (Samraat, Dance With Fate, Medal Count) ($6)
$1 trifecta box: 5,6,14 (California Chrome, Samraat, Medal Count) ($6)
TOTAL: $95
$2-million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands
Saturday, Churchill Downs, Race 11, Post Time 6:24
1 ¼ miles, dirt, 3-year-olds
Television: NBC coverage begins at 4 p.m. ET