Columnist Ralph Siraco: Nice payoff for nice guys at Coast contest

Ralph Siraco

Monday, Oct. 14, 2002 | 10:03 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday-Sunday.

Sometimes good guys do finish first.

The Championship at The Orleans handicapping tournament renewed over the weekend and the richest contest in Las Vegas for horseplayers assembled the highest number of pony punters of the year.

Officially, 614 horseplayers from all corners of the continent anted up $500 for each entry which upped the prize monies -- after Coast Casinos sweetened the pot with another $50,000 -- to $357,000 that included daily awards and an early bird contest Sunday.

The three-day Woodstock of handicapping contests was pared to a two-day shootout when Thursday's first round was wiped out by a malfunction of wagering equipment. Although there were disappointed players, some of which displayed their displeasure by taking a Coast Casinos offer to refund their entry fees, many find this tournament as a class reunion to not only go for the cash, but to renew friendships and craft more of those famous "bad beat" stories that tend to be embellished with time.

And, of course, the first place prize of $98,240 kept many on the property.

This year's victory story belongs to California players Ray Moriarity, Ron Cotler and Joe Cragg, no strangers to race tracks, race books or race tournaments. Their friendship developed through a common passion for racing and their paths crossed while serving in the same industry a quarter century ago.

Moriarity, a Burbank resident, and Cragg, from Long Beach, built and sold Paradice Expo while Cotler, who calls Los Alamitos home, joined the fold through their common business as exposition contractors. With extensive business at the Las Vegas Convention Center, it was a natural for the trio to migrate to this city's handicapping contests. Never let it be said that a good horseplayer can't combine business with a shot at the daily double.

This saga started early Saturday when Moriarity, the point man for the combine, made the second of 12 plays on the day (the first ran out). Paula's Pride reported home at Keeneland to pay $57.80 in the fifth race about 12:15 p.m. and made lunch much more tasty while the team racked up 2,258 points based on the $100-win bet format. After four goose eggs, Cragg decided the 3,258 points they amassed through two days wasn't enough to keep him beyond his early evening flight back home.

That would change.

As Moriarity put it, "it was time to ferret out a long shot" and he promptly obliged with his seventh play at 2:01. Standard Bearer won the seventh race at Arlington Park for $34.80 to add 1,740 points. Moriarity's ferreting from the pages of the Daily Racing Form continued moments later at 2:04 when their eighth play, Ride And Shine in the fourth race at Santa Anita, came home for another 1,350 points at $27.

Now the sunshine boys had 6,348 points with four precious plays left.

Cragg canceled his flight and Cotler continued to advise Moriarity while keeping the cash bets flowing. The early afternoon burst was followed by a pair of agonizing losses. As wives, friends and onlookers visited their table, Moriarity acknowledged each and refused to even think they were in position to win. With two plays to go, the trio rooted home U U Star ($16.60) in the eighth race at Santa Anita for 830 points.

Now, they had one bullet left and two races to fire a final shot.

Bypassing the feature race, the trio decide its final play would be in the last race of the tournament. The feature was won by a favorite. So far, good move. In the finale Moriarity selects a 4-1 shot and huddles with Cotler. They have had healthy debates before. It's all in their game. Cotler decides it is better to go with Moriarity's pick and lose then to change his mind and hear it for eternity.

After two late scratches that whittle the odds downward, at 5:10 Ufology, a maiden/claimer, lived up to Moriarity's faith and won at $6, adding 300 points to their tournament total of 7,478.

Rick Herron, who originally created the tournament for Coasts Casinos, advised Moriarity that his come-from-behind stampede of points could be enough to win.

While waiting for the final standings to be posted, Moriarity reflected on his strategy. It was really simple. Look at the races, read the Racing Form, remember trip notes and stick with your plan.

The trio won by 273 points. Robert Bertolucci, who had zero points going into the final day, checked in with 7,205 points. He had Ufology as his last play as well.

Cragg stayed. Cotler just wanted to break even. Their wives cancelled a round of golf for a trip to the mall, and Moriarity lost his voice.

Moriarity was last seen ferreting through the pages of the Daily Racing Form at The Orleans early Sunday morning.

It seems, at least for the moment, everybody loves Raymond.