Quigley tops Turf-Vivor III

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Tom Quigley, the editor and publisher of HorsePlayer Magazine, defeated Danny Hogan to win the $100,000 first-place price in Gulfstream Park's Turf-Vivor III handicapping contest.

Quigley, 44, who lives in Pasadena, Calif., captured the contest when Zipcody, his selection in the 10th race, got up by a head over Hogan's selection, Subtle Saratoga, for second place. Zipcody returned $3.80 to place and $2.80 to show while Subtle Saratoga paid $2.80 to show. Quigley further cemented the victory when his pick in the 11th and the tournament's final race, Coherent, won in gate to wire fashion. Hogan's selection, Arab Miss, was off the board.

While Quigley earned $100,000, Hogan, a 62-year-old self proclaimed "retired slacker," took home the $10,000 runner-up check. Hogan also won $2,000 for being the contest leader after Saturday's second round.

Both handicappers, in addition to William Guenther and Mike Mayo, qualify for the 2005, Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association handicapping champion.

This marks the second time Quigley has qualified for the DRF/NTRA tournament. Two years ago, he captured first place in the Autotote handicapping contest at the Bradley Teletheatre in Connecticut.

Hogan, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., said this was only the second contest that he has participated in.

The three-day Turf-Vivor contest required handicappers to make mythical $2 win-place-show bets in five selected races on Friday and Saturday. The top 16 bankrolls of the 125 participants advanced to Sunday's second round. Quigley was the 11th seed after Saturday's second round.

"[Saturday] was a little bit frustrating because I missed finishing third and the $1,000 that went with by $1, that was a little discouraging," Quigley said. "It was great to have so many friends here with me to share it. We tournament players travel all over the country whether it's out west or back east."