Each week, the NTRA will provide a rundown of those who have qualified for the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) from the previous weekend. A total of eight individuals qualified for the 2022 NHC, led by Thomas Goldsmith, who won the 2020 NHC title. Dave Wang, of Las Vegas, became a double qualifier.
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 2021 NHC is slated to take place in the Bally's Events Center from Aug. 27-29 with the 2022 NHC set for Jan. 28-30 at Bally's.
Last weekend's qualifiers, and their respective contest sites, are as follows:
Horseplayers, Friday, 7/9/2021
Dave Wang of Las Vega, NV, has double qualified for the 2022 NHC.
“I am excited to be double qualified for the 2022 NHC,” said Wang. “Obviously, two entries are better than one but I think this is especially true in the mandatory races. I am usually torn between two horses in the generally full-fields of the mandatories—-now I can play them both.”
His key race was the eighth at Belmont, when Dancingwithdaffodls came from off the pace in a 1 1/16-mile allowance optional claiming race and won by a half-length, paying $46.20. “I had a decent shot at pulling an upset at a big price, said Wang. “Fortunately, “I got lucky,” and added, “I love playing in the NHC finals and I hope I can use my two entries to double the fun and maybe some big money.”
Kirk Tesar of Ankeny, IA, has qualified for his fifth NHC.
Lone Star Park, Saturday, 7/10/21
Thomas Goldsmith of Montgomery, Texas won the 2020 NHC. He has now qualified for his fourth Championship appearance.
Mark Simonovich of Richardson, TX, has qualified for his third NHC.
Ellen Patrick-Leavell of Irving, TX, has qualified for her seventh NHC. In last weekend's Lone Star Summer Challenge tournament, Ellen needed a strong comeback and saw a horse named Streak of Silver in the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity that “jumped out at me that was going off at 17-1.” Ellen wagered $100WP and Streak of Silver broke on top as was never headed; paying Ellen $2,510 and “skyrocketing me from 32nd to second place.” She played it safe for the last two races and wound up finishing third overall in the Summer Challenge, and earned a NHC seat in 2022.
An NHC Mentor, Ellen's major career was the time she became the first female to win a Last Chance/First Chance tournament, which was held in January 2017 – earning $22,165 ― at Treasure Island in Las Vegas. Ellen qualified for her first NHC in 2008 and played in the January 2009 Championship at Red Rock Resort.
George Brant of Ft. Worth, TX, has qualified for this second NHC.
Belmont Derby Day Challenge NYRA Bets Saturday, July 10, 2021
James Herthum of Whitesboro, NY, has qualified for his first NHC
Ellis Starr of Lexington, KY, is a first-time NHC qualifier, who is the National Racing Analyst for Equibase, and writes regularly for the site, and for America's Best Racing, covering the major races and handicapping challenges around the country.
To qualify last week, Starr nailed a $100 exacta on European runners Bolshoi Ballet and Tokyo Gold in the Belmont Derby Invitational, which returned $1,940 and placed him in the top 10. In Belmont's following race, he wagering $1,000 on Fox Ranger to win and cashed for $2,550, and an NHC 2022 slot.
“Having tried to qualify for many years, I feel lucky and honored to have joined the ranks of so many great handicappers who participate in the NHC annually,” said Starr, who began attending the Southern California tracks when he was about eight years old.
Horsetourneys.com Sunday, 7/11/21
Craig Hom of San Francisco has qualified for his 12th NHC. He grew up playing the Dollar Fridays at Bay Meadows. Hom hit five winners in 12 races, all at around 5-1. His biggest winner paid $18.10. “Often times the difference in a contest isn't by 'such and such' dollars but they flip on the whisker of a photo finish.”
Hom is looking forward to returning to Las Vegas. “After a year like 2020, (I'm) really excited to be back in a big room with fellow horseplayers. Have made a lot of good friends through these on site contests. Feels great to qualify again. Never take it for granted. It's definitely not easy.”
Michael Kiatipis of Toronto, has qualified for his second NHC.
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