Drilling Esper to Down Dogs in Coney Island
2024 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
The 2024 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is just around the corner, and it could be a three-way race.
Geoffrey Esper is the -120 favorite to down the most dogs in Coney Island on July 4, and it’s a wide-open contest without Joey Chestnut.
Despite no big names being involved, it makes for a better betting market, and the betting odds are generous for the famed contest.
Competition Cleared Our for Esper
Esper finished second behind Chestnut last year, but without Chestnut in the field, he’s the natural betting favorite for the 2024 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.
The Massachusetts competitive eater holds many different records for eating, but the hot dog title eludes him.
After several second place finishes in Coney Island, Esper knows the target is now on his back.
“This year, obviously, everybody knows that Joey’s not going to be there,” Esper said. “So I got a chance at first anyways.
“I don’t like to jinx myself; I try not to talk about it too much or too many other people. They think, oh, Joey’s not there, you’re going to win it. But it’s not going to be that easy. You know, there’s there’s going to be a good four way battle for first place. It’s it’s going to be tight.”
He’s the -120 favorite, and he’s a great chance to add his name to the list of Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest winners.
He only needs to keep par with his previous results to win, and although James Webb has firmed with betting into +140, Esper is the man to beat.
James Webb Shooting for the Stars
Webb has plenty of supporters in betting markets, and the competitive eater could be worth backing.
The Australian is the pride of down under, and although Nathan’s winners don’t often come from outside the US or Japan, Webb could take the contest global.
The 35-year-old comes off a 47-dog performance in 2023, and because Chestnut isn’t in the contest, that’s a competitive number.
Chestnut is far better than the rest, so this could be the lowest winning total in many years, and that plays into Webb’s hands.
He has been training for this event, and he has given up his corporate job to chase eating titles according to entertainment news.
“I’ve got a business economics degree,” Webb said. “I spent seven years in college. I’ve worked sales, marketing… I’ve (had) a lot of corporate jobs, a lot of computer work.
“Now I just wear stretchy pants and baggy t-shirts.”
It would be great to see an Australian win the 2024 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, and based on betting markets, he has every chance to winning the coveted title.
Support Comes for Wehry
One of the biggest betting moves has come for Nick Wehry, who is the eighth-ranked competitive eater in the world.
You wouldn’t think that’s enough to see him win at Coney Island, but the +350 odds have generated interest.
The 35-year-old from Tampa has one eating record to boast. He at 50 hardboiled eggs in 3:04 in 2021, but that’s the only record he owns.
However, he finished fourth behind the aforementioned eaters with a total of 45 dogs in 2023. He was four dogs behind Esper and two dogs behind Webb, so he’s a good chance of improving.
We don’t think he can improve enough to win the contest, but his current line is 45.5 dogs, and we’re backing the over.
With experience under his belt, he should eat at least eat a half-dog more than he did last year.
Over 45.5 has been backed into -130, so take the odds before the line moves.
Sudo to Destroy Women’s Eaters
Miki Sudo has a mortgage on the women’s title, and she’s a -3000 chance to win.
Therefore, we must find value in other betting markets for the contest, and the women’s winning margin is where we found it.
Sudo won with a total of 39.5 dogs eaten last year, winning by six over Mayoi Ebihara. The current winning margin line is 6.5, and we expect Sudo to win by a bigger margin.
Knowing you’re the best eater in the competition is a massive advantage, as her competitors often rush too much during the chase.
Ebihara ate well in 2023, but Sudo should lengthen her advantage and potentially win by a big margin.
For those with a fear of choking, the following quote is not for you.
“You want to minimize chewing,” Sudo said. “Chewing is a waste of time and signals to your brain that you are getting full.”
We recommend chewing your hot dogs, and we also recommend backing Sudo to cover the -6.5 spread.
For betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point SpreadsSports Magazine.
