Derby Wars Weekend Recap: Oct. 21st - 23rd

 Derby Wars Weekend Action Oct. 21st – 23rd

The online tournament site Derby Wars rattled off another successful week. Capped off by the Big 3 Tournaments last weekend, the action was nothing short of thrilling.  Friday’s $10,000 NHC Qualifier featuring a field of 300 was topped by Phil Hoedebeck.  Saturday’s $5,000 contest was won in a come-from-behind fashion by Joe Koury and Sunday’s $15,000 Big Game was taken by Travis Reese.


$10,000 NHC Qualifier

The weekend started off hot as Phil Hoedebeck (or better known as Stacked on Derby Wars) bested a field of 300 to take home the $6,500 NHC Seat.  Hoedebeck only hit four races out of the twelve race card for a total of $91.20.  Phil’s biggest win on the day came in the tenth race of the contest by sticking with longshot Daisy Devine.  The filly paid $64.00 in the win-place effort and gave him a great shot at winning the contest.  “Stacked” had to cash in on the last race of the tourney to clinch the NHC berth and that is just what he did. Picking High On Kitten in the tenth at Keeneland, the $8.80 strike boosted him to first place and saved him a seat in Las Vegas this January.  Hoedeback also finished fourth in this contest with his other ticket totaling $81.60.

In the past two months, Phil has qualified for the Horse Player World Series (HPWS), the Twin Spires Championship, and the NHC Championship.  He also qualified for the NHC back in 2009 as well.  Good job Phil!

The FINAL $25 NHC Qualifier is THIS FRIDAY - sign up early and don’t miss it!


$5,000 Saturday Game

Saturday’s $5,000 Guaranteed game was won in stunning fashion by Joe “JoeK” Koury.  Cashing in on the last five races, Koury’s earnings totaled $144.10 which was enough to send him back to the winners circle for a second straight weekend.  Joe also took down last Sunday’s $15,000 Big Game as well.  Koury hit two longshots in the final sprints of the contest which ultimately propelled him into first.  In the tenth at Keeneland, Joe struck gold with Kitchenman for $64.00 and again with Lakerville for $56.20 at Santa Anita.  
   
When asked about his two key victories, Koury said, “Kitchenman was the cap horse that got me into the running.  The horse that put me over the top in the last race was Lakerville, an Unusual Heat first-timer that received high marks on HTR.”  
   
You could be the next Joe Koury - play the $5K Guaranteed Game Saturday!


$15,000 Sunday Big Game
 

The weekend’s Big Finale was the $15,000 Sunday Big Game.  Travis Reese, also known as “Tsreese” showed the rest of the 117 member field what it is like to hit ones stride.  Reese cashed in on seven out of the twelve races on the card for a total of $138.10.  Travis’s biggest win on the day came in the fifth at Santa Anita, the last race of the contest.  This beauty of a bomber paid out $57.40 for the win-place and was enough to make Travis canter home for the victory.  Gorgeous Goomah was the name of the longshot Reese picked, who is a four-year old filly by Maria’s Mon.  

    
The action continues this Sunday with another $15K BIG GAME!

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