August ASD Handicapping Challenge winner James Werry.
By G.S. Thompson
A decision made on post parade proved to be the winning move for veteran handicapper James Werry on Tuesday night, who won the ASD Handicapping Challenge by $8.70 with a bankroll of $60.10.
Werry was originally going to play first-time starter Milamaria in the fifth race on Tuesday, but changed his play to favoured Cyber Storm after watching the post parade, and the $9.70 that horse returned across the board was the edge he needed to take home his first tournament win, $3,500 cash, and the trophy.
David Smook ($51.40) finished in the runner-up spot, followed by Stan Stewin ($47.00), Greg Earl ($42.90) and Chuck Whalen ($41.90) on a card that was “chalk” full of favourites.
For the 65-year-old semi-retired courier, the victory was sweet vindication after years of near misses in ASD contests. “I’ve been close, seventh, third, but I just couldn’t quite finish,” said Werry. “I did finish well in an earlier contest, but I screwed up. That was my own fault.”
The irony wasn’t lost on Werry that the same post parade analysis that cost him a previous tournament win proved to be the winning formula this time around. Earlier this season, he had changed his selection based on what he saw in the post parade, and it had cost him a potential victory.
“I would have won the contest, but I changed my bet and it cost me,” he said. “Instead of finishing first, I ended up fifth.”
But Tuesday night’s card was different. When Werry looked at the races, he sensed it would be a procession of favourites. “When I looked at the form, I just thought, you know, it just looks chalky. So I handicapped it for that. I said, ‘You know what? If guys are going to shoot for longshots, I’ll just play it safe.'”
That strategy paid dividends when four favourites and three second choices crossed the wire in succession. While other handicappers were swinging for the fences with longshots, James stuck to his guns. The key moment came in race five when he was torn between his original selection and what he was seeing in the paddock.
“I did have a long shot picked in race five, a first-time starter,” said Werry. “She had a good work. But I watched the post parade, and the two (Cyber Storm) just looked really good. And I got to thinking the first timer might need a race. So I cancelled my bet and played the two because he just looked so good. He won by about three lengths.”
Werry’s handicapping foundation was built the old-fashioned way. Originally from Ontario, he’s been around race tracks since he was 12 years old, picking up tickets like many of us did in our formative days at the track. “My dad, my uncles were all trackers, and I groomed and trained standardbreds in the early 1980s before moving to Manitoba in 2000.”
Werry’s approach to handicapping is straightforward and methodical. “I cross out all the horses I figure can’t win first,” he said. “I go through the whole card that way, and then I go back and watch replays.”
Cajun Eddie (inside) on his way to winning the 7th race on Tuesday for trainer Wendy Anderson. Ciera Pruitt up.
Key angles for Werry include route horses dropping back to sprints and claiming drops, particularly with apprentice riders. The final race on Tuesday exemplified this when trainer Wendy Anderson’s horse Cajun Eddie dropped off a claim with bug girl Ciera Pruitt aboard and won by 8½ lengths.
Werry doesn’t focus on speed figures either. “Just trip notes for me,” he said. “I’m a replay watcher. I just like to see how a horse finished. And if it’s one of those speed horses that stops, they’ll usually do the same again.”
Werry was full of praise for the ASD staff who make the contests possible. “Sheri’s (Simulcast & Program Director Sheri Glendinning) the best. There’s no one who does a better job than her. She’s on top of everything, and she’s just good. When you have a problem or need something, just call Sheri. Same with Shannon (OTB Manager Shannon Davis). She’s been great for me.”
After decades of handicapping and his first contest victory finally in hand, Werry proved that sometimes the best strategy is trusting your instincts, and that post parade decisions can make the difference between winning and wishing.
When asked about his plans for the $3,500 prize money, he said with a laugh…
“Well, I’m sure I’ll reinvest it.”