Hall Of Fame Horseplayer Wagner Among Latest NHC Qualifiers

Each week, the NTRA will provide a rundown of those who have qualified for the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) the previous weekend. A total of four players earned automatic entries into the 2022 NHC from tournaments on Horseplayers.com.

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 August 27-29 with the 2022 NHC set for January 28-30 at Bally’s.

Richard Pearson of San Juan Capistrano, CA has qualified for the first time.

“I’m beyond excited. I never dreamed I would actually qualify, but I’d come close (4^th) the previous week,” said Pearson, who grew up in Yorkshire, England. “I was playing in a charity golf tournament when I saw I’d won, and let’s just say there was a definite breach of golf course etiquette at that moment.” He bagged 17-1 Fleetridge at Tampa Bay Downs last Friday, which was among his biggest qualifying scores. Richard got a “bucket list” thrill as a part-owner of Red King with Little Red Feather Racing at last year’s Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland. While there, he nailed a place bet on 94-1 Hot Rod Charlie in the TVG Juvenile, which paid $51.60.

Judy Wagner of New Orleans is a member of the NHC Hall of Fame and an active participant in the success of the tournament since its early days. Judy, who won the 2001 NHC, has now qualified for the 13^th time. She is a member of the NTRA Board and serves on the NHC Players Committee.

Dylan McIntosh of Pembroke Pines, FL, has qualified for his fourth NHC. His best tourney was the 2016 NHC when he cashed for $24,000 and a 12-place finish.

Russell Priola of South Wales, NY, who first qualified for the NHC in 2007, earned his 10^th qualification last weekend.

Dale Day of Yukon, OK, is the track announcer at Remington Park. This is the first time that Day has qualified for the NHC. “It is great and I feel very fortunate to qualify in a free contest with more than 1,800 participants,” said Day, who won eight of 15 races last weekend, two of them at 10-1 and one at 15-1.

On how Day became interested in playing the horses: “I was intrigued from childhood. Seeing my grandpa with money after a trip to the races when I was in second grade, let me know there was something possibly lucrative in playing the races once I was old enough.”

Mark Heider of Laguna Hills, CA, has qualified for a second NHC after his tournament debut in 2011.

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Patrick Gianforte of Cary, IL, has qualified for his 15^th NHC. Last year, he cashed for $13,000 and placed 33^rd overall.

Joseph Rosen of Hidden Hills, CA, earned his second qualifying spot for the 2022 NHC after qualifying on April 18 on Horseplayers.com. Joe was the 2018 NHC Rookie of the Year.

John Behnke of Golden, CO, has gained his second qualification for the 2022 NHC after getting his first one on March 12 on Horseplayers.com.