August, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Mustari Leads NHC After Day 2, Championship Concludes Sunday

Justin Mustari of Des Plaines, Illinois, holds a slim advantage over 2014 champion Jose Arias following the second day of competition in the 22nd National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) presented by Racetrack Television Network, Caesars Entertainment, and Bally's Las Vegas.

Mustari has amassed $283.30 leading 563 entries in the richest and most prestigious handicapping contest in the world. Arias, of Bell Gardens, California, has $278. All players made mythical win-place wagers on 17 races Friday and 18 races on Saturday from seven North American racetracks. Mustari began the day in 14th place with a mythical bankroll of $135.70.

Mustari, 26, is participating in his third consecutive NHC. He took the lead in the final eligible race of the day, Del Mar's 11th, selecting $8 winner U.S. Danger.

“It's definitely pretty crazy,” Mustari said. “I had one of those days where you just try to put yourself in a good position. I hit my last three or four races. I just played horses I thought would win and didn't worry about playing prices like a lot of people do.”

Mustari said after the contest day was done that he would try his best to relax by going to dinner with his family. His father Frank and his uncle Dan also qualified this year, and the Mustaris are well-known regulars in the contest world.

“I learned everything from my dad,” Mustari said. “He's been playing horses since he was young. That's how I got into the game. I started playing contests as soon as I turned 21.”

Mustari works for his dad's insulation contracting company. He double-qualified at Hawthorne Race Course (the other entry finished out of the money in 266th).

Arias held the lead going into the final eligible race and sits in the enviable second position entering the Semifinal round.

“It's a blur right now,” he said of the afternoon, citing Grade 2 Pat O'Brien Stakes winner Ginobili ($12.80) as one of his best plays of the weekend and crediting owners Slam Dunk Racing and trainer Richard Baltas for their handling of the emerging top-class sprinter.

Defending champion Thomas Goldsmith will continue on to the Semifinals with both of his entries – one in 38th place with a $184.60 bankroll and the other in 42nd with $183.20

Other recognizable names making the cut are defending 2020 NHC Tour winner and 2021 NHC Hall of Fame inductee Sally Goodall (39th, $184.20) and husband-and-wife duo Cheryl McIntyre (47th, $178.50) and Mike McIntyre (48th, $176.80), right next to one another in the standings.

The three-day NHC concludes Sunday at Bally's. The top 56 entries after Saturday will carry their mythical bankroll into Sunday's Semifinal round, which will require mythical win-place wagers on 10 races from a menu of 22 races. The top 10 from the Semifinal round advance to Sunday afternoon's DraftKings Final Table to determine the 2021 NHC champion. The grand prize winner will receive the $725,000 first-place prize and an Eclipse Award as Horseplayer of the Year.

Greg Knepper of West Lawn, Pennsylvania earned $157.00 to win the individual Day 2 honors. That effort earned him a free berth into the 2021 Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge.

Sarah Wiener, Norma Mendoza, Sally Goodall, Jeannie King, Karen Richards, and Cheryl McIntyre comprise a group of six female players who are in the top 56 moving on to Sunday's Semifinal round.

This year's track menu for mandatory and optional races is comprised of Del Mar, Ellis Park, Golden Gate Fields, Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park, Saratoga Race Course, and Woodbine Racetrack. All but Gulfstream and Golden Gate are part of the NHC for the first time.

The National Horseplayers Championship is presented by Racetrack Television Network, Caesars Entertainment, and Bally's Las Vegas and sponsored by 1/ST BET, Breeders' Cup, Capitol OTB, Century Bets, Daily Racing Form, Draft Kings, EquinEdge, FanDuel Group, Four Roses Bourbon, Hawthorne Racecourse, Hialeah Park, HorsePlayers.com, HorseTourneys.com, Keeneland, Monmouth Park, NYRA Bets, Roberts Communications, Santa Anita Park, STATS® Race Lens, The Stronach Group, TVG, and Xpressbet.

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Ginobili Slam Dunks Pat O’Brien Foes, Earning Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Slot

Getting a perfect trip under Drayden Van Dyke just off pace-setting Brickyard Ride, Ginobili took command at the top of the stretch and cruised to a 1 3/4-length victory over 2-1 favorite C Z Rocket in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Pat O'Brien Stakes at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif.

Flagstaff, second choice in the wagering, finished third, with Eight Rings fourth in the field of nine sprinters going seven furlongs on dirt.

Ginobili, a 4-year-old gelding by Munnings out of Find the Humor, by Sharp Humor, completed the distance on a fast track in 1:22.36. He paid $12.80 for the win, his first in a stakes race in his 13th career start.

The win gave Ginobili an all fees paid spot in the starting gate for the G1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, as part of the Breeders' Cup Win and You're In Challenge Series. This year's Breeders' Cup world championships will be held Nov. 5-6 at Del Mar.

Owned by Slam Dunk Racing, Jerry McClanahan, Michael Nentwig and trainer Ricard Baltas, Ginobili was a $35,000 purchase by Baltas at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where he was consigned by his breeder, Hinkle Farms.

Brickyard Ride delayed the start by running off as horses were loading, then once loaded grabbed the early advantage, setting fractions of :22.05 and :44.38 for the opening half mile. Ginobili was on Brickyard Ride's right flank, then put that one away on the far turn. Eight Rings pursued from third, with Flagstaff in fourth and C Z Rocket – the 2020 O'Brien winner – in seventh position with three-eighths of a mile to go.

Ginobili opened up a 3 1/2-length lead at the furlong pole, the six furlongs clocked in 1:09.36, and he was never seriously threatened down the lane.

The win was Ginobili's third from 13 career starts. His connections said they would point the gelding to the Dirt Mile.

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Flash Of Mischief, Talamo Edge Irish Unity In St. Louis Derby

Flash of Mischief, an Into Mischief colt bred and owned by Jerry Namy and trained by Karl Broberg, emerged with a one-length victory over Irish Unity in the $250,000 St. Louis Derby on Saturday at FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing, the track previously known as Fairmount Park in Collinsville, Ill.

Ridden by Joe Talamo, Flash of Mischief ran the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:46.59. He paid $6.60 as the third betting choice in the field of seven 3-year-olds.

Irish Unity, trained by Steve Asmussen, finished a head in front of Gagetown, the 8-5 favorite, with W W Crazy fourth, Two Worlds fifth, Hozier sixth and Ekatimorningstrike last.

Irish Unity and Brian Hernandez Jr. set the early fractions of :24.36, :48.16 and 1:12.54 for the opening six furlongs. Flash of Mischief was just a length behind, then engaged the front-runner at the top of the stretch, putting his head in front at the furlong pole and gradually edging away to the margin of victory.

The win was the fifth in 10 starts for Flash of Mischief, who was coming off a fourth-place finish to Jackie's Warrior in the G2 Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga. The latter came back to win Saturday's G1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial at the upstate New York track.

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League One Betting Review – 23 April 2006

Southend’s promotion celebrations were postponed after they slipped to a 1-0 home defeat against Doncaster. The Shrimpers needed a win to book a place in the Championship next season but James Coppinger spoiled the party a minute after the break to set up an unexpected 5/1 away win.

Colchester crept into the automatic promotion spot after beating Bournemouth 2-1, their first away win since January. Liam Chilvers put the U’s ahead after five minutes but Stephen Cooke restored parity three minutes later. On loan Scott Vernon’s first goal for the club six minutes into the second half secured a 7/5 win. The result also guarantees Phil Parkinson’s side a play-off place.

Brentford also confirmed their place in the play-offs and left Swindon in a precarious position after a 3-1 win at the County Ground. Paul Brooker drew first blood for the 13/10 Bees after 27 minutes and Marcus Gayle added a second on 39. Aaron Brown pulled a goal back for the Robins after 70 minutes but Callum Willock made sure of the points five minutes later.

Huddersfield were another side which enjoyed a 3-1 away win, but the result sent opponents Walsall crashing out of League One. David Graham gave the Terriers the lead after 25 minutes and Pawel Abbott netted a second with seven minutes remaining. Michael Leary gave the Saddlers hope in stoppage time, but Andy Booth late on confirmed an 11/8 win and relegation for Walsall.

Barnsley clung on to their position in the play-offs with a 1-1 draw at Blackpool. Keigan Parker gave the Tangerines the lead after 21 minutes but Brian Howard ensured a share of the spoils on 53 at 12/5.

Swansea edged back into the play-off places with a 1-1 draw at Oldham. Luke Beckett gave the Latics the lead on the hour from the penalty spot but Kris O’Leary levelled for the Swans eight minutes later for a 12/5 draw.

Nottingham Forest’s run of six consecutive wins came to a dramatic halt as relegation threatened Hartlepool beat them 3-2. Nathan Tyson gave Forest the lead after 15 minutes but Joel Porter equalised on 32. Two quickfire goals from Michael Nelson on 59 and Michael Proctor on the hour secured a precious 9/4 win before Kris Commons gave Forest hope on 67.

MK Dons kept their hopes of League One survival alive with a last-gasp victory at Chesterfield. Clive Platt gave the Dons the lead after 13 minutes but Colin Larkin equalised five minutes after the break. With four minutes remaining, Gareth Edds struck the winner to seal a fourth successive win, this time at odds of 7/4.