Horseshoe Indianapolis recently held two back-to-back qualifiers for the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) on Friday, July 7, and Saturday, July 8. A total of six players advanced to the final from the event with James Benes earning the win Friday and Troy Bandemer taking the top spot Saturday.
Benes is a seasoned horseplayer. The LaGrange Highlands, Ill., native won the NHC title in 2013 and has qualified numerous times for the prestigious event. He completed the first session at Horseshoe Indianapolis with a total of $3,175.40 in his bankroll to win the top prize of $2,000 and a seat in the NHC Final.
“I've qualified once already this year, so this will be my second seat (in the NHC final),” said Benes. “This is my first time playing in Indiana. I planned to stay for Saturday's contest, but now that I have two seats secured, I'll head home and attend a family event.”
On the other end of the pendulum, second-place finisher William Miller of Naugatuck, Conn., earned his first trip to the NHC Final with a tally of $3,132.50. Miller became interested in horse racing during COVID, and began watching races with his father, which turned into a passion for handicapping. Miller attended the NHC last year on his own in an attempt to get a last-minute seat but his second-place Indiana finish, which included $1,000 in prize money, will be his first trip to the final.
Friday's third-place finisher was Doug Bredar with a total of $2,824.20. Bredar won $500 in prize money but did not advance to the NHC Final. A total of 108 entries were recorded in the first session.
On Saturday, it was Troy Bandemer of Wichita, Kan., that topped the field of 103 entries to take home the top prize of $3,000. Bandemer cashed in on an exacta in the third race at Horseshoe Indianapolis that placed him on the top with more than $2,700 followed up by another exacta later in the contest that featured all 12 races at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
“This is my second time here (Horseshoe Indianapolis) for the qualifiers,” said Bandemer. “I played in the one last December. This is my first time qualifying this year, but I've qualified for the final a couple of years ago.”
Finishing second behind Bandemer was Tim Stupka of Sioux Falls, S.D., with a total of $2,883.05 to win $2,000 in prize money. Frank Musteri of Des Plaines, Ill., won $1,000 in prize money with a final total of $2,600. Vincent Clement Easley III of San Antonio, Tex., had a bankroll of $2,265 to pick up the final seat for the final and win $500 in prize money. The top four players advance to the NHC Finals set for March 15-17, 2024 at Horseshoe Las Vegas.
In addition to cash prizes the day of the NHC Qualifiers, all six players advancing to the NHC Final will receive a $500 travel stipend, hotel accommodations at Horseshoe, and all NHC player fees. All six players also received a trophy at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
One more NHC Qualifier is set for Horseshoe Indianapolis Saturday, Dec. 2. The session will feature various racetracks throughout the day with the top four advancing to the NHC Final. The top four will also share $6,500 in prize money. More information will be available soon for the final NHC Qualifier at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
The 21st season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Friday, Nov. 17. Live racing is held Tuesday through Thursday with Saturday racing added in during the summer months. First post Tuesday and Wednesday is 2:30 p.m. Thursday racing begins at 2:10 p.m. The Summer Saturday Racing Series includes four all-Quarter Horse dates July 22, Aug. 12, Sept. 2, and Oct. 7 beginning at 10:45 a.m. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis.
The post Six Gain NHC Berths In Pair Of Horseshoe Indianapolis Qualifiers appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
