Anderson leads the way after first day of NHC

Thomas Anderson of Burnsville, Minnesota, got out of the gate fast Friday in

the first day of the 12th annual Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred

Association National Handicapping Championship and will lead the 301-person

field into Saturday's finale with a bankroll of $182. The two-day competition at

the Red Rock Resort and Spa in Las Vegas boasts a record $1.05 million pot, with

a $500,000 first-place prize and title of 2010 Handicapper of the Year going to

the winner.

Anderson, who qualified at the Dog Days of Summer XIV tournament at

Canterbury Downs, made a big score early in the afternoon with one of his seven

elective plays when hitting Dig In (Snuck In), who paid $42 and $13.80 for

winning Gulfstream Park's 3RD race. The 54-year-old horseplayer holds a slim advantage over Ellis Park owner Ron Geary, who is second at

$171.60.

Anderson and Geary have opened a sizeable margin upon Yu Death, who compiled a score of

$108.40 in third, and Russell Priola comes next with $108. James Templin III

rounds out the top five at $107. Brisnet.com Director of Marketing Rich Nilsen

is 22nd with $85.40.

Brian Troop established the first-day record of $232.60 last year and went on

to win the National Handicapping Championship (NHC) with a two-day total of

$266. He received an automatic berth to this year's event, but dug a hole for

himself in Friday's opening session with only $6.60, which puts him in a tie for

264th.