Indianapolis man rallies on final day to win National Horseplayers Championship

Mike Gillum, a produce-company manager from Indianapolis, Ind., squeaked into the final round of the National Horseplayers Championship on Sunday but used a strong run in the semifinals and finals to take the overall title, winning the $800,000 first-place prize.

Gillum, a regular at Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville, was in 64th place after two days of play on Saturday night, when the cut line was set at 77 entries. He set his handicapping strategy early on Sunday morning and stuck to it.

“My picks did not change since 6 a.m. this morning,” Gillum said, in a release sent out by the administrator of the tournament, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, after his win on Sunday. “I played exactly what I would have played regardless of which place I was in. I got lucky, and it was just my day today.”

Gillum was playing in his second NHC. He said that he has been playing the horses regularly for 20 years and that reading Daily Racing Form every day keeps him sharp, according to the NTRA statement.

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“This is just the best,” Gillum said. “I am just thinking about my family at home watching. I’m just so excited and happy. Truly I’m at a loss for words.”

This year’s tournament had 765 entries. Under the tournament format, the top 10 percent of entries at the end of play on Saturday advanced to the final day. After a semi-final round on Sunday morning, the top 10 bankrolls advanced to the final table on Sunday afternoon.

Seth Morris, a full-time bloodstock agent who was the leader going into Sunday, finished second and collected $250,000. Matthew Blanchet finished third and received $200,000.

The total amount of cash awarded over the three days was $3,013,550. All 77 entries that made the cut were guaranteed at least $10,000.

With his win, Gillum was also awarded an Eclipse Award as the Horseplayer of the Year, to be presented at next year’s Eclipse Awards ceremony.

The top 10 finishers at the 2024 NHC and prize money won are:

1. Mike Gillum, $800,000

2. Seth Morris, $250,000

3. Matthew Blanchet, $200,000

4. Lawrence Kahlden, $150,000

5. Daniel Kaplan, $125,000

6. Rob Henie, $85,000

7. Nicholas Shirilla, $80,000

8. T.J. Sonde, $75,000

9. G.T. Nixon, $70,000

10. Scott Cavalieri, $65,000

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