James "Jamie" Michelson Jr.
Home: West Bloomfield, Mich.
Age: 38
Occupation: Advertising account director
Road to the Finals: Finished first in the Youbet contest on Aug. 21.
Bio: Qualified for the NHC this year along with his dad, James A. Michelson, who won the tournament at Thistledown. He first became interested in horseracing when his family would go to Saratoga in the summer with the Wolfson family including Steve Wolfson Jr. and Sr. Ironically, the Wolfsons both qualified for NHC IV the year Steve Jr. won the tournament and Steve Sr. finished fourth. Now, the Michelsons will try to follow in those very big footsteps. Jamie is a veteran marathon runner who has a great appreciation for morning workouts and prep races. As a horseplayer, he excels at picking longshots.