William Alexandridis of Middle Village, N.Y. topped 224 other players and took home the $40,000 first prize in the 2011 Fall Handicapping Challenge this weekend at Aqueduct Racetrack. 

Alexandridis, finished the two-day contest with a mythical bankroll of $1,135, defeating Paul Shurman of Dix Hills, N.Y., who won second prize of $15,000 with a mythical bankroll of $1,094. Third-place finisher Joel Einhorn of Flushing, N.Y. amassed a mythical bankroll of $1,072 and earned $7,500 in prize money.

In addition to their individual cash prizes, Alexandridis, Einhorn and fourth-place finisher Michael Cennerazzo of River Edge, N.J., also qualified for the NTRA/Daily Racing Form National Handicapping Championship (NHC) in Las Vegas. Runner-up Shurman had previously qualified for the NHC, which will be held January 27-28, 2012 at Treasure Island on the Las Vegas strip. The contest is giving out an estimated grand total of $2 million in prize money, with the winner receiving $1 million and the crown of North America’s top horseplayer.

The Aqueduct Fall Challenge format allowed players nine $20 win, place, or show mythical wagers and one $40 wager during both days of the weekend contest. Players could choose to wager on any race from Aqueduct, Calder, and Churchill Downs. At least five of each player’s 10 daily wagers must have been made at Aqueduct.

Alexandridis, who goes by the nickname “Saratoga Billy,” moved into first place with his final wager of the contest, placing $40 on Midnight Billy ($38.40) in the ninth race at Aqueduct.

In addition to the cash prizes awarded to the overall top 20 contest finishers, a $1,000 prize was awarded to the player who accumulated the highest mythical bankroll on each day. 

Cennerazzo took home the prize on Day 1 while Shurman won on Day 2.

FINAL STANDINGS