BETS FOR CAUSE
Tournament offers alumni, students way to aid school
On Friday, the track featured the first ever College & Alumni Handicapping Tournament.
Representatives — including students and alumni — from area schools could test their handicapping skills in a live money tournament for the opportunity to win a $5,000 scholarship for their school from the New York Racing Association.
Jay Geiger, from University at Albany, was captain for a 10-member team.
“It’s great, but it puts a little bit of pressure on me to get this done for our university, but hopefully we will come out on top,” said the horse owner. “We’re going to try our hardest here to get this done for us, so hopefully we will be able to work out a few long shots later in the card.”
The handicapping tournament package included 10 grandstand reserved seats, admission and a $30 wagering card.
The wagering card was utilized by the group to place five, $2 win/place/ show bets on one horse in five different races on the day’s card.
The group with the most money remaining on its wagering card at the conclusion of the day’s schedule was set to receive a $5,000 scholarship for its alma mater’s alumni association. Second place would get $2,500 while third place earned $1,000
in scholarship funds. The results were not available by this newspaper’s deadline.
SUNY Empire State celebrated its 23rd straight year at the track.
“It’s a great day. We bring together a lot of our alumni, donors. It’s kind of a get together. We think about a little bit of the college and all the difference in makes for the students, what our donors do and what our alumni do in furthering the mission of the college,” said president Merodie Hancock. “This is a great venue for doing it. Very Saratoga. Very into the fun of the area.”
Hancock was more than excited to compete in the handicapping tournament Friday.
“We plan to win,” said Hancock. “I’ve been thinking about going down to trash talk our competitors, but I’m being a better sport about it. It’s great. It’s actually a win-win. There are scholarships to go around. It’s a lot of fun competition and playing with it. In the end, the students win thanks to NYRA and the track ... and it’s a great way to turn fun into a good cause.”
SUNY Empire State hung in the winner circle’s during the fourth race of the day. The race was sponsored by SUNY Empire State.
“It’s a great day to highlight the history, the culture, the sport. All the pieces together and the camaraderie between the friends and family that make up Empire State college community. It’s a great opportunity,” said Hancock.
“I think adding the college day, which is relatively new, is another aspect of that. It adds a little fun and friendly competition all to good benefit.”