NHC: Contest down to final 10 players
The 16th annual DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship 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 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 compete 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 first 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 live streamed on DRF.com.