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The odds of his wins: 1 in 142-million

By TIMES WIRES
Published March 8, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG  

Last year, Scott Kaplan won a Hummer H3 at the Derby Lane Million race series in St. Petersburg.

This year, he took home a Ford Mustang convertible.

Not bad for a guy who doesn't bet on greyhound races.

"My father and I go once in awhile, but we don't bet the dogs, we play poker," said Kaplan, a Largo High School teacher.

On Saturday , Kaplan won the grand prize for the second year in a row at Derby Lane's race series. The series, which is only in its second year, offers greyhound racing's highest purse.

Anyone who showed up Saturday to watch or bet on races got one chance at winning the grand prize via an elaborate raffle.

Kaplan's two-year success comes at amazing odds: 1 in 142-million, roughly the same as correctly picking all six numbers in the Florida Lotto, said Alex Trindade, an assistant statistics professor at the University of Florida.

Kaplan, 42, was at a loss to explain his good fortune, but he's planning to return next year.

"We were actually kidding about that. I said 'What kind of car are you giving away next year? I'll come back for that one.'"

TAMPA

BREAST IMPLANTS MAY HELP IDENTIFY WOMAN'S BODY

A dead woman's breast implants may help Tampa police identify the decomposing body found in a shallow grave Tuesday outside a north Tampa company.

Major George McNamara said forensic investigators will try to use identification marks inside the implants to identify the woman.

Police also are seeking the public's help.

She is described as white, in her 20s or 30s, 5-foot-4 or 5-foot-5, with shoulder-length blondebrown hair, normal teeth, red toe nail polish and a band-aid on her left ring finger.

Police believe she had been buried for three or four weeks. They are investigating her death as a homicide.

She was found topless, wearing a size 4 short blue denim skirt from American Eagle Outfitters.

Police have been unsuccessful in matching her fingerprints, and she does not fit the description of missing persons reports in Tampa, Hillsborough County or Pinellas County.

Workers at the Sweeping Company of Florida, 2110 N 71st St., told police they first noticed a mound of dirt outside their building about three or four weeks ago. The smell had become overwhelming by Tuesday, and a worker dug it up.

The worker called police as soon as he realized he had unearthed a human body. Police are not yet saying how she died.

NEW PORT RICHEY

Sheriff, deputies near contract impasse

Pasco County Sheriff Bob White is a day away from becoming one of the first sheriffs in Florida to reach a formal impasse in labor negotiations with his deputies.

If the union declares an impasse, it would be only the second in the state in the four years since the Supreme Court gave deputies collective-bargaining rights, said Matt Puckett, deputy executive director of the Florida Police Benevolent Association.

TAMPA

Voters complain about switched precincts

In a news release before Tuesday's election, the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Election's Office said it sent letters to voters in two precincts about their polling place being switched for Tuesday's city elections.

But officials decided not to send the letters because they didn't have permission from the Justice Department to make the switch. The lack of notification was one complaint that surfaced in Tuesday's city election.

NEW PORT RICHEY

City's resolution aims to protect chickens

The City Council Tuesday approved a resolution opposing the confinement of egg-laying hens to tiny cages.

Animal rights advocate Jodi Chemes, 27, a certified public accountant, worked with the Humane Society of the United States to pitch the idea for the resolution. New Port Richey became the first Florida city to adopt the resolution, which also encourages residents to buy cage-free eggs.

[Last modified March 8, 2007, 01:40:19]