Randy (left) at Winnipeg Jets game.
By G.S. Thompson
Randy Premachuk won the monthly handicapping tournament at Assiniboia Downs for what has to be a record eighth time on Tuesday night, taking home the $3,500 first prize once again for his astute handicapping.
The recently retired former co-owner of Dave’s Quick Print built his $60 bankroll to $108.10 to win the ASD Handicapping Challenge by a nose over Kathy Phelps ($106.60) followed by Darcy Penner ($93.00), Brandon Barter ($92.30) and Myron Fedoruk ($90.50).
For Premachuk, who retired from his printing business at the end of May, the victory provided the perfect start to his newfound freedom. “I needed to have some revenue coming in,” he joked about his first month of retirement.
Premachuk snatched victory from defeat in the final race on Tuesday when Dragon Drew ($43.10) rolled home for trainer Tom Gardipy, Jr. under jockey Ciera Pruitt, not only winning the contest for him, but also pumping out a huge $1 Pick 4 payoff of $9,039.10.
The veteran handicapper’s strategy proved crucial in a contest that came down to the wire. Entering the final race with about $40 in his bankroll, Premachuk knew he needed a horse that would pay around $30 to have a chance at victory.
“I had about three horses really to choose from at that time, and I liked that one the best out of the three,” said Premachuk. “Even if a horse doesn’t have as great a chance in your mind, there’s always a chance.” Dragon Drew, who should have been about 6-1 according to most observers, inexplicably went off at over 20-1, creating the massive overlay Premachuk needed to win.
The handicapping champion’s approach throughout the evening focused on exploiting the betting patterns he’s observed in live racing. “Some favourites become massive favourites and it creates huge overlays with all the other horses,” said Premachuk. “Right from the opening race, I was playing long shots with chances.”
Premachuk found value throughout the card, including Bossy Holiday in the second race and Smackover Lime in the fifth, a selection he described as pure “process of elimination.”
Luck also played a role, as Premachuk benefited from a double disqualification in race 6 that moved his fifth-place finisher Twilight Ride up to third, adding a crucial $6 to his total.
The victory adds to an already impressive resume for Premachuk, that includes being named the 2024 Handicapper of the Year at ASD, five previous wins in the live contests, and two in the off-season events. Yet Premachuk remained modest about his latest triumph, acknowledging the role of fortune.
“There was nothing magical about this win, “said Premachuk. “It was just maybe a little bit of experience on navigating to the end. That was about it.”
But we all know it was more than that.