Mike Elsass
Home: Anna, Oh.
Age: 57
Occupation: Abstract artist/Insurance broker
Road to the Finals: Finished third and won $2,500 at Churchill Downs' Trackside Louisville Handicapping Challenge on Aug. 21.
Bio: Qualified for the National Handicapping Championship for the second year in a row. Finished 145th in NHC V after qualifying at Hoosier Park. His wife Milissa also qualified for NHC IV as a member of the team from River Downs. Mike was introduced to the sport at a Kentucky Derby party over 15 years ago. He is an artist who often paints at the track during early morning workouts. His works have been exhibited at galleries in Louisville, Columbus, Cincinnati, Detroit, Sedona, and Hudson. Elsass says he loves the abstract aspects of handicapping tournaments.