Troop wins National Handicapping Championship

Brian Troop of Barrie, Ontario, parlayed a record-setting Day 1 performance

in the 11th annual Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping

Championship (NHC) into the title of Handicapper of the Year on Saturday, winning the

two-day competition at the Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas with a final bankroll of

$266. He earned a $500,000 first-place prize and will receive an Eclipse Award

at next year's ceremonies.

Troop, 61, opened a sizable lead on the rest of the 302-person field with a Day 1

total of $232.60, smashing the previous Day 1 record of $190 set by Gwyn Houston

in 2001, and comfortably held off all challenges with a $33.40 score on Day 2.

Robert Gregory of Durango, Colorado, accumulated more than $100 on both days to

finish second, earning a second-place prize of $150,000 with a $249.80 total.

Ted Simmons of Lexington, Kentucky, compiled a Day 2-best score of $181.80 to

rally for third, collecting $100,000 for his $249.20 total.

Brian Herrity, of Mankato, Minnesota, came next at $240.80, pocketing $40,000

for fourth, and Elaine Kowaleski of Farmingdale, New Jersey, rounded out the top

five at $237.80 and won $25,000.