New York, NY (Nov. 5, 2014) Daily Racing Form (DRF) will donate $61,000 to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) as a result of DRF handicapper Matt Bernier’s 6th-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge.
The 2014 BCBC set a record for total participants at 287 players, which represents an increase of 58% over last year. In 2013, Daily Racing Form became the online Tournament’s exclusive operator at BCQualify.com, and as a result sent 74 players to this year’s event, a 68% increase, breaking last year’s record participation.
‘We couldn’t be more proud of Matt Bernier’s performance in the BCBC,’ said John Hartig, Chairman and CEO, Daily Racing Form. ‘DRF is excited to contribute to the robust growth of the BC Betting Challenge and as a result of Bernier’s outstanding handicapping, make a meaningful contribution to the TAA in support of the accredited organizations that place retired Thoroughbreds.’
‘Wow, geez,’ said Jack Wolf, President of the TAA and President/Founder of Starlight Racing when told of the donation. ‘We can’t thank Daily Racing Form enough for naming the TAA as the recipient of Matt’s fabulous tournament play. At the end of the day, the Thoroughbreds are the real winners here.’
Matt Bernier began playing tournaments in 2012 and, at 23 years old, was the youngest qualifier at that time to gain entry into the 2013 Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship. Shortly thereafter, Bernier’s horseplaying captured Esquire Network’s attention and he was hired as the cast’s youngest handicapper for the new show ‘Horseplayers.’ While the show was not renewed for a second season, Bernier landed a full-time position in the newly-created role of Player Development Handicapper with DRF in June 2014.
Bernier expanded his role with DRF this summer when becoming an on-air contributor for NBC Sports Network. When it came time to start programming the 7.5 hours of Breeders’ Cup telecasts over two days, the idea was created to have Bernier play in the BCBC for charity. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, a designated Breeders’ Cup charity, will receive a check for $61,000, representing the winnings from Bernier’s play less registration and expenses.
‘We are happy for both the TAA and Matt Bernier,’ said Peter Rotondo, VP, Media & Entertainment, Breeders’ Cup. ‘Bernier was leading the tournament going into the BC Mile and that made for exciting live television. This was the first year that tournament play was incorporated into the telecast and we couldn’t be more pleased.’
ABOUT DAILY RACING FORM
Daily Racing Form, ‘America’s Turf Authority since 1894″ for Thoroughbred racing horseplayers and professionals throughout North America is the Thoroughbred industry’s dominant multi-channel media company. Launched in 1894, Daily Racing Form is the only daily newspaper in the U.S. dedicated solely to the coverage of a single sport, publishing up to 2,000 unique pages of statistical and editorial copy every day, in as many as 20 daily editions, 364 days a year. Its companion website, www.DRF.com is the most heavily-trafficked horseracing destination, providing players with the most extensive news coverage in racing, interactive past performances, exclusive handicapping tools, and access to DRF Bets’, America’s fastest growing online and mobile wagering platform. Additionally, Daily Racing Form publishes DRF Harness Eye, the daily newspaper and digital content for Standardbred racing since 1964, offering news, handicapping products, and online wagering functionality specifically for Harness players. In 2012, Daily Racing Form introduced DRF Breeding, a business dedicated to serving the Breeding industry, bringing expanded coverage and tools to horseplayer and breeding enthusiasts alike.
