Big Payouts are Even Closer for the October Sweet Sixteen

The survivors of the opening weekend in this month’s $25,000 Head to Head Championship have taken two giant steps on their quest for the $10,000 top prize. Sixty-four players have been whittled down to sixteen and the money round is closer than ever. One more win assures eight players at least $1,250 and an ever-improving shot at the title. The Sweet Sixteen match-ups are the most pivotal part of the entire bracket. Check out who’s in and who’s out.

IN: Reigning champion Mike Martin (Actioncatxmike) looks strong in his title defense after advancing both of his entries to the Sweet Sixteen. No one has won the event twice, but if anyone could do it, it’d be Mike Martin.

OUT: Anthony Trezza (Youare2020), a four time winner of the $10,000 Sunday High Stakes Game, winner of the Saturday $25,000 Game and past champion of the Head to Head event, fell victim to a strong performance from the September money list leader (Siphon3511) in the opening round.

IN: DerbyWars $100,000 Preakness Day Game champion and top money earner Jim T. (Taytay) is another one of only three players who’ve advanced two entries to the Sweet Sixteen. Jim eliminated one of (Siphon3511)’s entries, setting up a possible heated rematch should they both make it to the finals.

OUT: DerbyWars LIVE Qualifier, $25,000 Saturday Game winner and $50,000 High Stakes runner-up Mark Aylward (Concreteman) was on quite the hot streak, until Jason Wallace (Highlander) put an end to it. Jason silenced Mark’s championship hopes with the winner of Keeneland’s QE II, Her Emmynency, a near cap horse.

PLAYOFF: Michael Marlaire (Jackson10) and Jason Wallace (Highlander) met in the second round and neither player could get it going. After tying with just $4.40, they’ll get the second chance of a lifetime in a four race playoff on Wednesday. This is the fist ever tie in the Head to Head Championship!

CHECK OUT THE SWEET SIXTEEN MATCH-UPS AND FULL BRACKET HERE

The highs and lows from the opening weekend matches

Saturday's Highest Winning Score: Ace ($106.60) def Muggsy23 ($26.40) Saturday's Lowest Winning Score: Chestnut ($27.20) def Greyarea ($0.00)

Saturday's Highest Losing Score: Siphon3511 ($65.70) def Youare2020 ($61.30)

Sunday's Highest Winning Score: Marvinosos ($89.60) def Bigghow ($47.40) Sunday's Lowest Winning Score: Highlander ($4.40) ties Jackson10 ($4.40)

Sunday's Highest Losing Score: Taytay ($53.40) def Roodee ($52.00)

At stake this weekend:

- Sunday’s Elite Eight = payday. A win in the Sweet Sixteen guarantees players at least $1,250!

- Reaching the Sweet Sixteen means four more wins for the $10,000 first place prize. Each win gets you one step closer.