Batavia, New York (January 22, 2018) – Prominent New York State advance deposit wagering (ADW) platforms SaratogaBets, BataviaBets, and EmpireCityBets today announced that they have officially crowned the top handicapper in New York State with cash, and an NHC Tournament prize package. Tom Piotrowski of Blasdell, NY will leave for Las Vegas on February 8th in what will be his first-ever entrance into the prestigious tournament. Mr. Piotrowski earned his seat in the NHC by emerging victorious in the first ever, New York State Online Handicapping Championship at BataviaBets.
“On behalf of Batavia Downs Gaming and the New York State Handicapping Championship – we wish the best of luck to Mr. Piotrowski in his quest for the NHC prize” said Henry Wojtaszek, President of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation and Batavia Downs. “We would also like to extend our thanks to the New York Gaming Commission for approving this important aspect of our joint venture and its overall support of this collaborative initiative among NY racing entities.”
Mr. Piotrowski’s path to Las Vegas began with a freeroll tournament appearance in early 2017, which awarded a paid seat in that week’s “Winners Take All” $25 buy-in payday tournament. Two resounding victories later, he was awarded a paid seat in the December 2nd “New York State Handicapping Championship”. Tom then proceeded to edge out the competition in dramatic fashion, entering a successful $684 tournament wager on the final race of the tournament to earn his NHC seat.
“I’m looking forward to competing against the best in the world in the 2017 NHC tournament – special thanks to Batavia Downs for offering this great prize package to the horseplayers at BataviaBets” said Tom Piotrowski.
The NTRA National Horseplayers Championship (NHC), presented by Racetrack Television Network and Treasure Island Las Vegas, is the richest, most important, and most prestigious tournament for horseplayers in the world. The tournament represents a culmination of a yearlong series of sanctioned local tournaments conducted by racetracks, casino race books, off-track betting facilities and horse racing and handicapping websites, each of which sends its top qualifiers to the national finals in Las Vegas.
Participating account holders at BataviaBets, SaratogaBets, and EmpireCityBets will once again have the opportunity to earn a paid entry to the upcoming 2018 New York State Handicapping Championship event every week in the $25 buy-in “Winners Take All” tournaments. Having awarded over $40,000 in total prize money throughout 2017, there is a 0% rake in the tournaments and all entry fees are returned to the players as prize money. Interested horseplayers are encouraged to sign up for an account at their regional ADW provider to participate.
