Kentucky horse-owner Faron McCubbins wins Belmont Stakes Challenge

by Pat McKenna

Faron McCubbins took home $60,000 and other prizes for finishing first in the Belmont Stakes Challenge, a two-day handicapping contest that took place during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival presented by NYRA Bets. He ended the two-day event with $90,600. Each contestant started with $7,500 to wager.

McCubbins, owner of Bullards Alley who ran 6th in Friday's Grade III Belmont Gold Cup, said he entered the Belmont Stakes Challenge after hearing about the $1 million bonus offered by the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) for anyone who wins both the Belmont Stakes Challenge and the Breeders Cup Betting Challenge in November.

"I came up to Belmont because my horse was running, but when I saw that there was a million dollar bonus if I win both tournaments and I knew I had to stay and compete."

Heading into the 149th running of the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets, McCubbins was trailing behind the leaders and needed a big win to catch up.

"I was in first place after Friday, but I was struggling all day today. I had about $13,000 left and I liked Pletcher's horse (Tapwrit)," McCubbins said. "So, I bet $9000 on Tapwrit to win. Then, I did a $1500 exacta box with Tapwrit and Irish War Cry."

McCubbins, an owner of a concrete construction company who lives in Mount Washington, KY, has participated in several handicapping contests in recent years, including the Breeders Cup Betting Challenge, a two-day handicapping contest in November with more than $1 million in prizes. He says this was his first ever win in a handicapping contest.

Tony Zhou finished second in the contest and won $25,000 in prize money. He also gets a seat in the Breeders Cup Challenge.

Victor Stauffer finished third and took home $15,000 in prize money.

Photo available here: goo.gl/31dFUp

ABOUT THE BELMONT STAKES CHALLENGE:

The 2017 Belmont Stakes Challenge is a two-day handicapping contest during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Players paid an entry fee of $10,000, of which $2,500 went directly to the prize pool with the remaining $7,500 comprising each participants' bankroll. Players bet on races at Belmont Park starting on Friday, June 9 and ending with the 149th running of the Belmont Stakes. Contest players were only allowed to make win, place, show, exacta, and trifecta wagers for the contest.