Moments from the DerbyWars $100,000 Whitney Game

An entire month of agonizing anticipation was finally met with this weekend's DerbyWars $100,000 Whitney Game. A $50,000 life-changing score was up for grabs in addition to the other $50,000 to be divided among the top ten. Races from Saratoga and Del Mar including the $1,250,000 Whitney Stakes made up the two day contest card. One hundred twenty-nine players were fortunate enough to make the field and were ready to take on the twenty-two race marathon. Brian Herrity (Brianh) was ready to outlast them all. 

Friday's contest menu hosted eight races from Saratoga and Del Mar with the remaining fourteen taking place Saturday. The contest kicked off with Saratoga's eighth race, the $200,000 Hall of Fame Stakes on the turf. 

The contest kicked off with a fantastic stretch run by Irad Ortiz and Takeover Target. His $15.60 payout got a handful of players off to a great start. With twenty-one races still to go, players looked to really get things starting before the end of day one. 

The second contest race produced a 4-1 winner and got a few players on the board, while adding to the totals of some. Contrary to what was expected, the contest would surprisingly see quite a few shorter priced horses and very few big long shots. It took four races to produce the first high priced winner and it came after a heads up ride by Drayden Van Dyke. The young jockey took Dothraki straight up the rail to break her maiden at 11-1. Ten players picked up $33.20 and the leader board began to show some separation. 

Those looking to catch another big price would have to wait until Saturday as favorites took Friday's last four races. The leaders after day one were off to a great start, but they'd have to hold off charges from over one hundred other players. 

Day two approached and with fourteen races left, it was anyone's game. Jim T (Taytay) and Barbara Bowley (Sophia) were the one-two punch at the top of the leader board, both having the chance to become the first two-time $100,000 Game Champion. 

The "value seekers" would have to wait a bit longer, as chalk prevailed in the first contest race of day two. 

Just two races into the final day, Jim T surrendered his lead to Mark Bogdanoff. Jim would have twelve more races to navigate his way back to the top. Two races later, Takajo and Eric Cancel found the winners getting several players $39.40 closer to Mark. 

One hundred twenty-eight players were doing their absolute best to dethrone Mark, and it appeared to have worked. Barbara Bowley was back near the top and Jim T lurked just behind. Mark Bogdanoff was in the hot seat and needed to hang on for nine more races. 

Just two races later, the $1,250,000 Grade I Whitney Stakes was up, and Mark had surrendered the lead. Barbara Bowley (Sophia) was in prime position to repeat as $100,000 Game Champion. Little did Barbara know, Brian Herrity was not planning on losing that day. 

Brian Herrity was on the hot streak of his life, as he cashed nine times in eleven races to give him the lead. Towards the back end of his rally, he was able to open up some breathing room. With three races to go, Brian needed to keep his rally going to avoid giving away his lead.

During a week when Churchill Downs shippers were on fire all over the country, Brian had one of them up his sleeve. 

Brian did indeed repel his foes as Dallas Skyline was ridden to absolute perfection by Corey Nakatani in the 6th from Del Mar. Brian received $20.60 for the win and place combination, giving him a comfortable cushion going into the final two races. 

When Brian avoided price horses in the final two races, he had officially become the DerbyWars $100,000 Whitney Game Champion. 

Let's take a look at the rundown of the leader board!

Brian Herrity took home $50,000 with his big victory including an entry to next months $100,000 Game. Can he defend his title?

Jim T did just about all he could to repeat as $100,000 Game Champion, but fell just short. His efforts banked him $20,000 with a chance for redemption in next month's event. 

Robert Felty survived a tight photo for third. He scored for over $40 in two of the last three races to seize the third place price of $10,000.

James Riccio parlayed two winners in the last two races into a fourth place finish and $5,000.

Lenny Moon continued his contest hot streak, earning him over $4,500.

Congratulations to everyone finishing in the money! 

Are YOU Ready to Take Down Next Month's $100K?
Qualifiers are Running Every Day!