Edward De'Ath
Home: Henderson, Nev.
Age: 60
Occupation: Retired from financial field
Road to the Finals: Finished second in the Reno Hilton Winter Challenge on Feb. 7-8.
Bio: Qualified for his second National Handicapping Championship with a runner-up finish in the Reno Hilton Winter Challenge tournament on Feb 7-8. Finished 183 rd at NHC IV in Jan. 2003 after qualifying at Turf Paradise in 2002. Native of Toronto Canada became hooked on horse racing watching the Canadian colt Northern Dancer win the 1964 Kentucky Derby. Tournament veteran plays in numerous contests and has several wins including a $40,000 victory at the Cal-Neva in Reno in 1995. Also won many preliminary rounds at the old World Series of Handicapping at Penn National, qualifying for the finals of that event in 22 of the 27 years he played. Best finish at Penn National ended up being a sixth-place finish in 2000 after he dropped from second place with three races remaining. Maintains an extensive historical statistical database, which he uses to handicap tracks across North America. Exotics player estimates he has hit numerous trifectas, superfectas, pick fours and pick sixes in the $15,000 range during his handicapping career. Other interests include skiing, golf, tennis, travel, music, computers, and handicapping the races with his son.
Photo: Turf Paradise