Monmouth Park’s biggest handicapping contest ever was held Saturday, June 3 and the winner was Paul Shurman of Dix Hills, NY. 

Shurman bested a field that included 172 entries from players from 26 states plus Canada.It was a star-studded field for the second-annual $2,000 Pick Your Prize Challenge – in which players started with a $1,000 bankroll and bet on races from Monmouth Park, Belmont and Churchill.  There was a $100 minimum bet and wagers had to be win, place, show and/or exacta. 

Shurman turned his starting $1,000 bankroll into $8,190 and used a strong late push to catapult to the lead.  Down to his last $255, Shurman went all-in with exactas using the favorite in Monmouth Park’s last race over three horses.  He connected with a longshot in the second spot and the resulting payout was enough to launch him all the way into the contest top-spot. 

By finishing first, Shurman automatically earned a cash prize of $11,745 and received two picks from the prize board which included 17 NHC seats, 6 BCBC seats and $39,240 cash.With his two picks, Shurman selected a BCBC seat and $15,696. 

In total, the Top 23 finishers received at least one selection from the prize board: