Earns $14,340 in Prize Money and Berth in Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge
Live Racing Returns to Laurel Friday, March 25 to Close Winter Meet

BALTIMORE – James Staub of Ellicott City, Md. finished with a balance of $3,672 to top of field of 176 entrants and capture the Maryland Jockey Club’s Champions Handicapping Tournament held Saturday, March 19 at Laurel Park.

It was the first in-person Champions tournament since 2019 after being canceled in 2020 and 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic. Once again, it was held in Laurel’s refurbished second-floor sports bar.

The tournament was open to players for a fee of $300. In addition to prize money, the top four finishers qualified for automatic berths to the National Handicapping Championship (NHC), Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) or The BIG ONE.

After making a minimum of 10 win, place and/or show wagers on races from Laurel, Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita, Aqueduct and Tampa Bay Downs, Staub finished with more than a $1,000 cushion over runner-up Paul Buttafuoco and earned $14,340 in prize money.

Given his choice of four tournament berths, Staub selected the BCBC to be held Nov. 4 and 5 at Keeneland. Buttafuoco, of New York, N.Y., finished with a bankroll of $2,042.70 to earn $9,560 in prize money and a berth in the 2023 NHC, which typically takes place in late January in Las Vegas.

Third place went to Patrick Connell of Fairfax, Va., who finished with a balance of $1,684.60 and earned $4,780, and is also headed to the NHC. Thomas Perrot of Millersville, Md. was fourth with a balance of $1,359.60 and earned $2,868 and a seat at The BIG ONE this fall at Laurel.

Rounding out the top 10 finishers were John Zielinski with a tournament balance of $1,200.60, Anthony Laurino ($1,200), Robert Engelhard ($911), Norman Butz ($834), Keith Simon ($748) and Kevin Engelhard ($703). Each player earned $2,868 in prize money.

Notes: Laurel will begin closing weekend of its 2021 winter meet with a 10-race program Friday, March 25 and carryovers of $10,349.49 in the Late Pick 5 and $8,101 in the 20-cent Rainbow 6. First-race post time is 12:40 p.m. … Jockey Jevian Toledo has a nine-win edge on runner-up Jean Alvelo, 36-27, while the trainer’s race has Jerry Robb (22) leading Claudio Gonzalez (21) and Jamie Ness (19) … Jaime Rodriguez won twice Sunday aboard Muchacho Macho ($14.80) in Race 1 and Askin for a Baskin ($3.80) in Race 3 … Jorge Ruiz with Killy Start ($6.20) in Race 4 and Mattitude ($8.60) in Race 9 and seven-pound apprentice Yan Aviles with Blue Sky Venezuela ($11) in Race 8 and Mexicali Rose ($7.80) in Race 10 also doubled … Mexicali Rose and She’s All Courage ($5.40) in Race 5 are trained by Carlos Mancilla … Steven Keil and Caitlin Keil’s homebred Aliferous sprung a $112.40 upset of 9-5 favorite Heaven’s Got Fire in Race 7, a seven-furlong maiden special weight for 4- and 5-year-olds. It was the first race for trainer and horse since Nov. 6, 2020. Owner of Keil Tree Experts in Cockeysville, Md., it was Keil’s 22nd career training win and first since June 2014.