Photo courtesy of NTRA/HorsePhotos
LAS VEGAS (Sunday, January 25, 2015) – The 16th Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) Presented by Racetrack Television Network, Sovereign Stable and Treasure Island Las Vegas is down to 10 players, led by Ken Jordan of Farmingdale, N.J., and his $283.30 bankroll. The 10 leaders will compete in the Final Table tournament this afternoon to settle the ultimate placings, including the $800,000 first-place prize and Eclipse Award winner.
Beyond Jordan the rest of the Final Table is comprised of John O’Neil ($277.60), Joseph Muzio ($246.30), Matthew Ransdell ($245.20), Jonathon Kinchen ($244.80),Myles Richards ($234.80), Robert Pontani Jr. ($226.50), Mike Ferrozzo ($226), Brian Troop ($223) and Joe Scanio ($222.60).
Kinchen finished with both of his entries in the top 10 – his other bankroll was $230 – but each individual is permitted only one entry at the Final Table. Kinchen’s highest bankroll carries over to the Final Table while the “other” entry is automatically good for 11th-place money ($25,000).
Troop is attempting to become the first two-time NHC winner. He won NHC XI in 2010.
The top 10 players carry their bankroll from the Final 50 contest over to the Final Table, where they will place $2 Win and Place wagers on each of seven mandatory races (all times Pacific): Tampa Bay, Race 10 (1:50 p.m.); Gulfstream, Race 10 (2:06 p.m.); Gulfstream, Race 11 (2:38 p.m.); Oaklawn, Race 9 (3:10 p.m.); Santa Anita, Race 7 (3:30 p.m.); Santa Anita, Race 8 (4 p.m.); and Santa Anita, Race 9 (4:30 p.m.).
The contest’s last race, the ninth at Santa Anita, was named the “Final Table Finale” by Santa Anita officials. It is a $20,000 maiden claiming event with a $19,000 purse for older horses at 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track. A field of 12 is set to decide it after scratches of morning line favorite Next Right and longshot Victory Parade.
The prizes still up for grabs:
First – $800,000 and Eclipse Award for Horseplayer of the Year
Second – $250,000
Third – $125,000
Fourth – $100,000
Fifth – $75,000
Sixth – $65,000
Seventh – $59,000
Eighth – $54,000
Ninth – $52,000
Tenth – $50,000
To reach the Final 50, the 606 NHC entrants were required to place 30 mythical $2 Win and Place wagers – 15 on Friday and 15 on Saturday. This is the second year with a three-day format including the Final 50 and Final Table.
Final Table participants will be relocated to a single table on the stage of the Treasure Island Ballroom that has served as Contest headquarters. The Eclipse Award for Horseplayer of the Year and $800,000 in cash are on display at the center of the table as a reminder of what is at stake.
Live coverage of the Final Table will be broadcast on HRTV, The Network for Horse Sports and live streamed on DRF.com.
KWAN WINS CONSOLATION TOURNAMENT
The Consolation Tournament for players outside of the Final 50 was won by Wayne Kwan who tallied a $97.20 bankroll from 10 mythical $2 Win and Place bets to take home the $10,000 first prize, as well as a $10,000 Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge package including entry fees, live bankroll, airfare and hotel. The top 20 Consolation Tournament finishers earned cash prizes, tiered from $1,000 to $10,000.
The full NHC and Consolation Tournament standings can be accessed at ntra.com.