Penn National track report

Rick Scott risked his entire bankroll on a 4-year-old maiden filly, and when Cavallo Grigio cruised home six lengths in front as the 6-5 favorite, it turned out to be a worthwhile gamble.

Scott, a businessman from Mechanicsburg, Pa., jumped from fourth to first place in last Saturday's World Series of Handicapping at Penn National Race Course when he hit his $181.60 win bet. He collected his real bankroll of $397.60 and $3,700 in prize money for outlasting a field of 74 contestants.

Jeffrey Stevens of Laureldale, Pa., finished second with $364.50 and won second prize of $1,850. Richard Heffner of Wyomissing, Pa., placed third, for $740 in prize money, with a bankroll of $234.

David Sciamanra of Chambersburg, Pa., who led the contest through most of the middle races, received $370 for finishing fourth. The fifth- through 10th-place finishers each received $123.

All players put up a $100 entry fee and deposited an additional $100 to fund their wagering accounts. All winnings from their bets on Penn National's 10-race live card belong to the handicappers.

Penn National this fall revived the World Series of Handicapping, the oldest and at one time the richest handicapping contest in the country. It has been discontinued in 2001 due to insufficient entries. The original World Series of Handicapping began in 1974 and was a three-day event.

In last weekend's contest, prize money totaled $7,400. At the height of its popularity, the World Series of Handicapping offered first prize money of $100,000 and total prize money exceeded $200,000.