Siple nips Kopaj in Delaware NHC qualifier

In a thrilling finish, Roger Siple turned his $200 bankroll into $4,440.50 to earn a grand prize of $25,000 in Delaware Park's Handicapping Contest on January 17. A handicapping veteran from York, PA, Siple had previously won $21,500 in a Delaware contest held in 2004.

Paul Kopaj of Oceanport, NJ finished second with $4,399 in contest earnings. Kopaj made $8,500 in prize money for his efforts.

Greg Knepper of Westlawn, PA finished with a final total of $3,618, and earned third prize of $5,000. Doug Schenk of West Hempstead, NY earned $3,000 after his total of $3,050 was good enough for fourth place.

Siple and Kopaj defeated 501 other handicappers to earn berths in the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas next January. Both scored with My Typhoon ($6.80) in the last race of the contest. Roger bet $600 to win on the Bill Mott-trained My Typhoon while Kopaj bet $400 to win on the filly. The margin of victory was the shortest in Delaware Park tournament history.