DerbyWars talks with $50k High Stakes Champion Howard Schwartz

This weekend was the launch of DerbyWars' newest contest, the $50,000 High Stakes Game. Forty-five players went toe-to-toe in the ultimate battle of high rollers. Regardless of the path they took to get there, whether by way of a nineteen dollar qualifier or a twelve hundred dollar direct buy-in, everyone had their eye on the $20,000 first place prize. The road to victory would be a rough one, but someone was eighteen races from becoming $20,000 richer and having the honor of becoming the first ever champion of the DerbyWars $50,000 High Stakes.

The accomplishments of the forty-five player field include a combined four DerbyWars $100,000 Game victories, thirteen Saturday $25,000 Game victories, seven $10,000 Sunday High Stakes victories and over a million dollars in total earnings. The champion of the event would be nothing less than deserving, and that champion turned out to be Howard Schwartz (Bigghow).

Schwartz kicked his contest off with a near cap horse in the second race and a streak of four straight cashes to give him an impressive total of $139.20 before the halfway point. With the red hot Mark Aylward (Concreteman) and the Titan of High Stakes games Anthony Trezza (Youare2020) chasing, it became a tense waiting game for the five figure payout. Valiant efforts from Schwartz' pursuers were sure to come, and they did, but he was able to put a few more points on the board to impressively hold off everyone for the $20,000 first place prize.

DerbyWars.com's Josh Frederick sat down with Schwartz to ask him about the big win. Check out the full DerbyWars interview with the $50,000 High Stakes Champion.

Josh - First of all, how does it feel to have won the first ever DerbyWars $50,000 High Stakes Game?

Bigghow - Pretty exciting. I'm a pretty stone-faced gambler who never shows any emotion win or lose, but I did get just a tiny bit excited.

Josh - Even to the best poker face, a $20,000 score is certainly worth a smile. Outside of Santa Anita, the tracks were sloppy and grass races were either taken off the turf, moved to the widener or run on extremely soft surfaces. How does this affect your handicapping and your game plan going in, and how were you able to adjust to the conditions.

Bigghow - I was actually happy with the weather. I love sloppy/muddy tracks, so I considered that to be a benefit going in.

Josh - You started the tournament off in a big way? Amelia's Wild Ride won rather easily for Preciado at nearly 15/1 when Keeneland took the race off the turf. How did you land on her, and how big is it to land on a near cap horse early in the competition?

Bigghow - I kept looking at the value on Amelia and luckily decided to make the switch to her. It is huge to get an early lead, but then the Santa Anita bombs started dropping and I was sweating plenty.

Josh - Mark Aylward (Concreteman), who is a frequent winner of DerbyWars' featured contests, was right next to you the entire way. You were able to shake him off temporarily with four straight cashes, but at that point he built up both entries and sat second and third. How were you able to stay ahead of the curve with Aylward starring you down while having double the options?

Bigghow - The two entries doesn't bother me, but I knew he was experienced and gunning for me. Once he got close enough, he didn't have to stab at long-shots anymore and then it really becomes a contest. Then a small ten dollar winner with Wild Dude gave me enough room going to the last that it would take a bomb to get me. He still almost did with a City Zip who ran second in the last race.

Josh - You made several fantastic selections including Amelia's Wild Ride ($45.00) and Corpse De Ballet ($47.60). How did you come up with high priced horses early in the contest?

Bigghow - Like I said, Amelia was among the horses I liked and I just went for the value. I won't get into specifics on Corpse De Ballet, but I considered him to be a huge overlay.

Josh - You fought all day to dispatch Aylward and other dangerous challengers such as Paul Scott, Anthony Trezza and Joe Koury. At what point did you know you had the tournament won?

Bigghow - Really not until Wild dude gave me the small cushion. My big early lead had dissipated, and I am not much of a Santa Anita guy. So that small win really helped.

Josh - Well this win was certainly far from small. Congratulations again. Now that we know how you won, we have to find out how you ended up here. Where and when was your start in racing?

Bigghow - 12 years old at old Washington park (burned down years ago) outside of Chicago.

Josh -When were you introduced to handicapping contest and what do you like about them? Bigghow - Found the NHC about 6 years ago and just like the competition.

Josh - What handicapping tools do you use?

Bigghow - The Daily Racing Form

Josh - What is your favorite track, favorite horse and one tip for a beginning contest player? Bigghow - Favorite tracks are Kentucky Downs, Colonial (rest its soul), and Belmont. Secretariat is my favorite horse and just stick with what you know and win those races.

You're only one click from becoming the next Howard Schwartz! Are YOU ready to start winning BIG?