LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 11, 2019) – Each week, the NTRA will provide a rundown of those who have qualified for the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) the previous weekend.

 The NHC is the most important tournament of the year for horseplayers and is the culmination of a year-long series of NTRA-sanctioned local tournaments conducted by racetracks, casino race books, off-track betting facilities and horse racing and handicapping websites, each of which sends its top qualifiers to the national finals. The 2020 NHC will take place in the Bally’s Events Center from February 7-9.

 

Friday, June 7

HorsePlayers.com – $75

Robert Tacher, of Coral Springs, FL will travel west for the first time the #NHC2020. Tacher is a regular online contest player, whose persistence has paid off for him.

Dave Gray, an attorney from Cleveland, OH, will escape the cold Ohio winter next February and join contest players in Las Vegas for the NHC. This will be Gray’s third NHC appearance. Interestingly, at his first appearance in 2014 and his 2019 appearance he ended up with the exact same bankroll of $157.

 

Saturday, June 8

HorseTourneys – $165

Michael Goodrich, from Rutherford, NJ, is now a three-time NHC qualifier and this will be his third trip in four years to the NHC. He was double qualified in 2018 and cashed $1,600 in the 2017 Consolation Tournament.

Cody Clark, is a rookie NHC Tour Member from Lititz, PA. This will be his first NHC appearance.

 

Belmont Stakes Challenge – $10,000

Ryan Flanders, a 2014 Final Table member from Carlsbad, CA will return to the NHC for the fourth time. He was double qualified at his first NHC in 2014 where he cashed $18,000 by placing ninth. He was also double qualified in 2016. This is his second NHC qualification for 2020. He previously qualified in April at Santa Anita.

James Metzger, of Louisville, KY grabbed his second NHC entry for 2020. His first NHC seat for 2020 was nabbed at the April Keeneland Grade One Gamble. This will be his second NHC appearance. He made the cut line last year and cashed $4,400 for a 63rd place finish.

Jonathon Kinchen, 2015 NHC Tour Champion and Final Table participant from Austin, TX, qualified for the 2020 NHC while at a wedding. This will be his sixth qualification. He was double qualified in 2019, 2017, 2016, and 2015. He cashed $84,000 for his 7th and 11th place NHC finishes in 2015.

Marshall Gramm, a college professor and horse owner, will return to #NHC2020 after his impressive run at the 2019 NHC where he was a final table participant. This will be his sixth NHC appearance. He was double qualified in 2019 and cashed $57,850 for his 9th and 48th place finishes.

 

Sunday, June 9

 

HorsePlayers.com – $165

Michael Pirrung, of Irvine, CA, won the first All Optional contest on HorsePlayers.com and will make his eighth NHC trip in February. He was double qualified in 2019 and 2014. In 2015, he cashed $11,040 when he placed 37th.

David Wilganowski, from Cypress, TX missed the NHC is 2019, but will be returning for his fifth appearance in 2020. He was double qualified in 2015 and cashed $2,750 in the Consolation contest that year.

 

Click here to view the 2019 NHC Tour Leaderboard Unofficial Standings.

Click here for upcoming NHC qualifiers