The NHC Hall of Fame is a way to honor and recognize individuals. Those considered will meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Competed in NHC-sanctioned tournaments and played consistently well over an extended period of time.
• Gained the respect and admiration of their peers.
• Contributed to the overall growth and success of the NHC and/or tournament play in general, with indelible positive and lasting results.

The following nominees have been selected by a panel of current NHC Tour members who are former NHC Champions and NHC Tour Champions, Hall of Fame Members, Players Committee Members, and Tournament Directors.

Eligible Voters include current NHC Tour Members who have been Tour members for at least 10 years and have qualified at least once to the NHC. Votes must be submitted by Friday, February 14th at 12:00 pm ET

Voting has ended.

NHC Tour Member since 2008

NHC Appearances: 16

2017 NHC Tour Champion

I have been playing in tournaments and online across the country most of the last two decades, have promoted the NHC by traveling to horse venues most years, many of these multiple times, encouraging camaraderie and competition with friends, while qualifying for the NHC at many of these, sometimes cashing and in a few cases setting tournament scoring records.

Tournament successes include 2015 Final Table, five Top 10 NHC Tour Finishes, as well contest Top finishes at Canterbury Park in 2022, Hawthorne in 2017, Surfside in 2016, and Belmont Park in 2015.

NHC Tour Member since 2014

NHC Appearances: 10

Final Table Participant 2019

I am honored to be considered for the NHC Hall of Fame. I have qualified for the NHC for the last eleven years and finished 9th in 2019. I was also the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) winner in 2020 and have two other top ten finishes (5th in 2018 and 10th in 2023). As a horseplayer advocate, I have participated on panels at the Jockey Club Roundtable (2023) and the Racetrack Industry Program Global Symposium (five times). In addition, I am an Economics Professor at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN, where I teach the Economics of the Racetrack Wagering Markets; interviews from my 2022 course are available on the In the Money Media network, featuring insights from horseplayers and racing industry professionals. I am also a horse owner (Ten Strike Racing, 630 wins, 42 stakes wins) and breeder (5 stakes winners). I have been privileged to see live racing or jai alai at 72 different racetracks and frontons.

NHC Tour Member since 2011

NHC Appearances: 10

2018 NHC Champion

I have been a consistent and dedicated player in NHC sanctioned events for over a decade. Most of my success has been at the NHC Championship itself. I have a couple of top ten finishes in the Woodbine Mile contest and Pick Your Prize contest at Monmouth Park plus multiple top finishes online. I feel that I’m good representative of the average horseplayer that made it big. In the beginning I only played in my free time due to my job and family. Upon my retirement I was able to dedicate more time to competing and studying the ins and outs of contest play. With my trajectory in NHC sanctioned play, I believe I’ve made a lasting impact on the community and I am honoured to be considered for the Hall of Fame.

NHC Tour Member since 2009

NHC Appearances: 13

2016 NHC Tour Champion

I have been a long time contestant player and very much interested in horse racing for many years. The early days of my marriage to Mike McIntyre we attended races all the time at Thistledown and Mountaineer (formerly known as Waterford Park).  I decided early on that I was going to learn how to read a racing form and make my own decisions and bets. I find it very challenging as well as enjoyable. Our summer vacations when our kids were growing up was at the racetracks. Now I enjoy being a thoroughbred race horse owner. These beautiful animals are a big part of our lives. Our son has a 100 acre horse farm to take care of retired and resting race horses. A dream he has had for quite some time and we support him totally. I’m not exactly sure what year I started playing NHC contests but I know it was in the early days way back when it was held at Bally’s. It’s a remarkable experience and one that has grown tremendously in popularity with horseplayers. I’m truly honored to be able to participate in this event each year. It’s hard work sometimes (especially qualifying for the tour) but I enjoy every minute of the journey! I have meant some really great people and formed many great friendships.

NHC Tour Member since 2008

NHC Appearances: 19

NHC Players Committee Member

I have worked 30 years in the equine industry, serving most of those years as the Marketing Director for Brisnet and TwinSpires. At Brisnet.com I created the first online contest qualifier for the NHC, and designed and ran multiple tournaments at TwinSpires.com and Premier Turf Club. I have served two stints on the NHC Players’ Committee, bringing a unique perspective as both a tournament director and an avid contest participant. I am the founder of AGameofSkill.com, a site devoted to horse racing education and promotion.

My articles have been published in American Turf Monthly, Bloodstock Journal, Breeders’ Cup Program, Handicapper’s Edge, The HorsePlayer Magazine, Keeneland Program, Owner-Breeder International, Southern Gaming Magazine, and The Thoroughbred Times.

I am one of only a handful of players to finish in the top 10 at the NHC twice and cashed four times and have won eight major handicapping tournaments.

NHC Tour Member since 2008

NHC Appearances: 16

2010 NHC Tour Winner

I was named the 2010 Tour Champion when a majority of the contests were onsite. It was a blessing as I was able to meet so many quality players and people. I am always welcoming and available to talk racing and handicapping with anyone who approaches  me. I first met Judy and Brian Wagner at Fairplex and shared my secrets with them about handicapping that bullring as I earned the title “King of Fairplex.” I was given a crown and a tournament was named for me called Beat the King.  I finished 3rd that day to Hall of Famers Dennis Decauwer and Jose Arias.   The first contest I won was the 2004 Gold Coast Summer Classic topping 763 players while earning $123,000. Accompanied by my nephew Shawn, we stopped at Hollywood Park on the way home Sunday to share my good fortune with some friends.  After a little celebrating I played a late pick four(my only bet that day) and left to attend Sunday night mass. Afterwards my nephew called to tell me I hit the P4 for $9400. I was a 2018 Final Table Member cashing for $100,000.

NHC Tour Member since 2008

NHC Appearances: 19

NHC Players Committee Member

In 2003 I won the Bettor Racing Mid-West Classic in South Dakota and qualified for my first NHC.  2025 will be the 20th year that I have qualified (the last 18 in a row) and my 26th entry including double qualifiers.  I am in the top 5 all-time in NHC points. I have cashed three times at the NHC (including a 17th place finish) and have a top 20 Tour finish.  I have cashed in over 60 handicapping tournaments including 20 of over $5,000 and 6 between $15,000 and $45,000 including wins at the 2005 Breeders Cup Contest, the Tampa Bay Downs Festival Preview, the Claiming Crown and the Pimlico Anything Goes Contest. I am most proud to have been honored to serve for many years on the Players Committee and help steer the NHC through tremendous growth.

NHC Tour Member since 2011

NHC Appearances: 12

I am a constant staple on Horseplayers.com contests, playing nearly every weekend. Paired alongside on track contests at Lone Star Park, I have regularly earned NHC qualifications every year, except one, since 2011. I finished 6^th in my first NHC appearance and have cashed twice.