The FHBPA conducted their annual NHC Tournament last weekend during Pegasus Day at Gulfstream Park. The winner, receives a seat at the National Handicapping Event in August, that is held at Bally’s in Las Vegas, travel vouchers, and free lodging at the hotel. There were 31 entrants in this years contest and the eventual champ turned out to be Glen Berman, the former Executive Director of the FHBPA.
Glen, who now resides in the Chicago area, was asked if he was looking forward to going west, he replied “Viva Las Vegas “ as he peered out at a foot of fresh snowfall. The 63 year old Berman says he is not a regular contest player but that this pick and pray method suits his “I can pick’em better than I can bet’em” history. He was surprised to know that in the contest, you could pick an alternate selection in the event of a late scratch, and said not knowing probably helped him to not overanalyze. The win came as a result of his being the only player who selected Pacific Gale in the Inside Information Stakes at 16-1. “I was looking for a price with good connections, said Berman, and it proved to be the difference”.
Turns out that Glen actually began going to the races at GP when he was only 5. “I went often with my dad, he said, minors were not permitted in the track back then but there was a set of bleachers outside the rail at the head of the stretch where some senior citizens gathered to see the races. I would sit there and watch while my dad shuttled back and forth to the windows. It’s where l learned to read the racing form”.
Prior to spending almost 4 years with the FHBPA here, Glen, who is an attorney and pharmacist, was Executive Director of the Illinois Horsemen, and has been welcomed back by the Chairman of the Illinois Racing Board, whom he recently represented in a hearing.
Glen has been a longtime owner, and lists a horse named “No Tolerance”, a G-3 winner at Hawthorn, as his best runner to date. He continues to race in South Florida, with horses in the barns of Ron Spatz and Armando De La Cerda.
We wish Glen the best of luck as he represents the Florida HBPA in the National Finals.