The sixth week of the 2020 TIF Summer Prop Contest was the domain of David Grossbarth of Coral Springs, Florida, whose 11 correct props covered the field with ease, two props ahead of ten players each with nine correct. Grossbarth’s has yet to choose how to direct $1,250 to a backstretch development charity.
The ten-way tie was broken based on the trifecta return from the Alabama. Chris Schon of Henniker, New Hampshire was closest to the number and chose to direct $500 to the Belmont Child Care Association. Len Dodson of Carlsbad, California was in the money yet again, just $0.20 closer to the actual result than Robert Lee of Albany, New York to claim third. Dodson also directed $250 to the Belmont Child Care Association.
The other players with nine props this week included: Jeff Coakley (Waikoloa, HI), Chris Larmey (Kennewick, WA), Connor LeClair (Cohoes, NY), Matt Shifman (Metuchen, NJ), Patrick Ray (Vancouver, BC), Tom Reynolds (Dallas, TX), Doug Slayton (Champaign, IL). The average number of correct props this week was 6.21.
Below are the updated overall standings with two weeks remaining in the contest. The best four scores accrued over the eight weeks count towards these standings. Matt Miller and Doug Slayton both improved on their overall total this week while erasing a previous lower score. The top four scores from the contestants tied through ninth are all listed.
1st – Matt Miller – Northbrook, IL – 36 (11-9-8-8)
1st – Doug Slayton – Champaign, IL – 36 (10-9-9-8)
3rd – Bradley Anderson – Sarasota, FL – 33 (10-8-8-7)
3rd – Len Dodson, Carlsbad, CA – 33 (9-9-9-6)
3rd – Connor LeClair – Cohoes, NY – 33 (9-8-8-8)
3rd – Robert Lee – Albany, NY – 33 (10-9-7-7)
3rd – Patrick Ray – Vancouver, BC – 33 (10-9-7-7)
3rd – Phil Spade – Dallas, TX – 33 (9-9-8-7)
9th – Anthony Stabile – Howard Beach, NY – 32 (10-8-8-6)
9th – Donald Wells – Paris, KY – 32 (10-9-8-5)
11th – Ken Kasowicz – Chicago, IL – 31
11th – Alex Kibrick – Boston, MA – 31
11th – Tommy Massis – Toronto, ON – 31
11th – Josh Ross – Westport, IN - 31
11th – Paul Weizer – Leominster, MA – 31
16th – Sean Beirne – Louisville, KY – 30
16th – Craig Brogden – Lexington, KY – 30
16th – Jeffrey Coakley – Waikoloa, HI – 30
16th – John Gaspar – Wakefield, MA – 30
16th – Chris Garafola – San Antonio, TX – 30
16th – Kevin McIntyre – Dallas, TX – 30
16th – Patrick O’Connor – Wichita, KS – 30
16th – Aaron Reed – Indianapolis, IN – 30
16th – Tom Reynolds – Dallas, TX – 30
16th – Nick Tammaro – Houston, TX – 30
16th – Henry Wessel – Roselle, IL – 30
Below are results of the props as set by Anthony Stabile of the Horse Racing Radio Network. The seventh week of the Contest will feature Del Mar's Pacific Classic card, with TVG's Britney Eurton scheduled to set the props.
1. HEAD TO HEAD: Which horse will have the better finishing position in the Alabama?
#1 ENVOUTANTE (39%)
#6 HARVEY’S LIL GOIL (61%)
2. HEAD TO HEAD: Which horse will have the higher final win odds in the Alabama, according to the published Equibase chart?
#3 CRYSTAL BALL (27%)
#4 BONNY SOUTH (73%)
3. Will the winner of the Alabama have run in a Grade 1 race prior to Saturday’s run?
YES (Envoutante, Crystal Ball, Bonny South) (16%)
NO (Spice Is Nice, Swiss Skydiver, Harvey’s Lil Goil, Fire Coral) (84%)
4. What will be the margin of victory in the Alabama, according to the final Equibase chart?
1.5 lengths or shorter (32%)
Between 1.75 lengths and 3 lengths (42%)
Longer than 3 lengths (26%)
5. What will be the final time of the Alabama, according to the final Equibase chart?
2:02.00 or faster (26%)
2:02.01 or slower (74%)
6. Will a Christophe Clement trainee win the Saratoga Derby Invitational?
YES (Decorated Invader, Gufo) (64%)
NO (All others) (36%)
7. What will be the total $2 payout of the daily double connecting the Saratoga Derby Invitational and the Alabama?
Less than $25 (51%)
Between $25 and $50 (37%)
More than $50 (12%)
8. Using the following points scale (5 – 1st, 3 – 2nd, 1 – 3rd), which trainer will accrue more points on Saturday at Saratoga?
Chad Brown (33%)
Christophe Clement (26%)
Mike Maker (7%)
Todd Pletcher (34%)
9. Will the winner of Race 6 have cost more than $200,000 at auction (home-breds count as under)?
YES (65%)
NO (35%)
10. What will be the number of the saddlecloth of the winner of Race 2?
ODD (36%)
EVEN (64%)
11. Which pick five will provide a higher payout?
Early Pick 5 (Races 1-5) (60%)
Late Pick 5 (Races 7-11) (40%)
12. With 17 combined entries across six total races, what will be the total wins accrued for trainers who are members of the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (Steve Asmussen, Bob Baffert, Mark Casse, Shug McGaughey, Bill Mott) AND Todd Pletcher on Saturday at Saratoga?
Over 2.5 wins (72%)
Under 2.5 wins (28%)