GRANTVILLE, Pa. – Joseph Esposito of Timonium, Md., came from far back last night and won the 24th World Series of Handicapping at Penn National. Esposito, who had trailed for most of the contest, bet his entire bankroll of $1,514 on Wolf Fang to win in the sixth race.
Wolf Fang was a gate-to-wire winner and paid $13.20. That gave him the lead with $9,992.40. The next three races, the contestants could bet only 10 percent of their bankrolls and Esposito bet conservatively. He ended up with a total of $10,012.80, giving him the first prize of $100,000.
Eric Lange of Enola, Pa., was second with a total of $9,314.40. He collected the $40,000 second prize. Carolyn Hale of Hubbardston, Maine, barely held off Doug Fisher of Bloomfield, N.J., for third and collected $20,000. Fisher was fourth and won the $10,000 prize. Jerry Koons of Camp Hill, Pa., was fifth and collected $5,000.
The three-day contest started off with 150 handicappers. In the end, only 10 were left with money. One pro remained in contention until the end. Yours truly finished seventh with a bankroll of $1,593.60.