NTRA Tournament Tracks

[km]

These tracks will be used in the NTRA tournament =

Friday Jan 23
----------------
AQU
LRL
FG
GP
OP
SA
GG
TUP

Sat Jan 24
-------------
AQU
LRL
FG
GP
TP
OP
SA
TUP

Most probable that the 8 mandatory races will be selected 1 per track on each day. Notice that GG is dropped on Saturday and Turfway is used instead. Turf Paradise is a new addition to the contest. List is subject to change, but not likely unless one of the tracks has to cancel due to bad weather. Thanks to Michael McKee for the list.

I have heard from nearly all the HTR contestants and they have replied postively to the 4pm meeting at Bally's on the 22nd.

[Donnie]

KM-
One change that Mike may not of heard yet.....we got a call from PRM yesterday notifying Sue that Sam Houston will be a mandatory track used on Saturday. So I guess it's time to bone up on them as well!!

That PRM!!! They sure want Sue to win!!:D

[km]

Thanks for the update Donnie. They have used HOU in the past - but only a single mandatory race, no optionals because HOU doesn't start until around 5pm PST. Too bad, as HOU is a terrific longshot track.

This means that the HOU mandatory race will probably be the final wager in the contest, as SA has to finish before dusk (no lights)........

As the final race of the contest looms, the majority will not be within 50 points of the top10 for prize money - they will shoot that last bullet on the longest shot on the board to no avail. There will be a large cluster of people within 20-50pts of prize money though. Their chances are difficult to cash though as everyone else in that range will be looking at the same horses (10/1 - 30/1) -- and it will be tough to pass enough players even if they hit. In any case, a $25+ winner on the last race will shake things up considerably among the top finishers and HOU is one of the top tracks for that possibility in this tournament (see Rick's longshot chart).

[Cliff]

SHRP Race 1 was a mandatory on Friday......Off at approx. 5:00 p.m. Vegas time.

Paid $10.00 to Win and $5.80 to Place.

Good luck guys!

Ken, where was the luncheon get-together last year? I must've missed it? ;)

[km]

Cliff, why do you hurt me?

I was at the SunCoast tournament last year, but made the drive over to Ballys and met with YOU, Tommy, Marconi and Ramos at 6pm. Mayo came over from the Barbary. I bought everyone a drink and offered dinner, but the 7pm cocktail party for the qualifiers was going on and you and TC left for that. Marconi did go to dinner with me. After all the action was over, a bunch of us went to dinner again on Sat night -- but you had other plans - I believe you went to a church where all the ladies danced and shook their bibles at the guys; very uplifting wasn't it?
:p

[Cliff]

Hey, Ken,

I promised Tommy I'd razz you a little about that!

And, lest ye other sinners forget, I had my wonderful GF with me last year. The only even slightly related "religious" activity I was doing was PRAYING for winners. Especially on Saturday when I hit a big fat ZERO out of 15 races.

You playing the Coast tourney this year?

Cliff (living his life vicariously through the actual qualifiers over the next few days)

[Donnie]

So...I am getting this feeling that the tournament is normally over sometime around 6 or so each evening...is that correct? (Just trying to plan my days...and nights... out so I can live vicariously for Cliff!)

[km]

Cliff - i forgot you had your bodyguard with you last year. You have a raincheck from me for a free dinner the next time you qualify for the Championship. I decided against the Coast contest, looks like it will be a dud because Wed is dark at the big tracks due to Mon racing.

Donnie - absolutely right, no contest wagers after dark, probably will end by 5pm if SA or HOU(1) are the final races. Plenty of time to party.

I heard from Ramos (100Aces) and one of our anynomous qualifiers, we are expecting 9 HTR qualifiers to show up at the Thursday meeting, most with spouse or friend. Ernie and BobbyB may come too. Practically a seminar. I don't know where I can get a table for 20 at Ballys or within walking distance, anyone have a suggestion? We'll figure out something. Weather should be beautiful, temps are over 70 here and Vegas is usually the same as SoCal in Jan.

[100Aces]

KM,

With enough notice I'm quite certain the Eiffel Tower Rest. can accommodate a large party.
Better call them now!

[dehere]

There's a decent, fairly new Asian restaurant in Paris that is certainly large enough and not too far to walk to. I'll have a car and don't mind ferrying people if you wanna drive someplace like McCormick and Schmidt - just up the street on Flamingo, or anywhere else close by for that matter.

[km]

Thanks guys for the restuarant ideas - Paris is good because they have a walkway from Ballys.

I'm going to call around and find out the situation at each. Some don't even open until after 5pm, others don't accomodate large parties, some have dress codes, etc. We'll find a good spot for our group. I like everything: Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Steak, French, ........ but if some of you have a problem with certain foods, let me know and we won't eat there.

[tommyc]

Hey Donnie....Cliff sez he's living vicariously next week through ACTUAL qualifiers.

That leaves me AND you out...... ;)

tommyc

[Donnie]

oh...yeah.......I keep forgetting! :( Maybe I should just stay home and paint the house or something....?

[km]

Our best bet seems to be the Paris Buffet. Below is the link - it is an awesme array of food, NOT the typical fried chicken and salad buffet -- this is gourmet quality and rich. Dinner starts at 5:30pm, we'll try to arrange seating before that. We can line up at 5pm. Our head count is fluid at the moment and this is another reason why I chose the buffet. Another reason is that the array of cuisine options should please everyone. Also it is easy access from Ballys and there is no dress code. The other resturaunts have problems with large groups and it would have been a struggle to arrange things.


http://www.caesars.com/Paris/LasVegas/Dining/CasualDining/LeVillageBuffet.htm

[JimG]

In case some of you did not know, TVG is going to be covering the tourney pretty extensively. Look forward to seeing some of you on television.

Best of luck to all the HTR players! I will be rooting you on this weekend. Wish I was there.

Jim

[HBee]

Ken

If it hasn't been done already, could you post the HTR qualifiers along with the team they are on? That would make it easier to follow OUR people on TVG.

Thanks

Herman

[km]

The HTR qualifiers and their tourney locations are listed in the Jan newsletter.

Bob Ramos and Daven Turner luckily ended up on the same team from KEE, even though they qualified at different times of the year. The other HTR players will most likely be grouped with the other qualifiers from the location they qualified from.

[MVMcKee]

Looks like team Reno Hilton #3 also has 2 HTR users together.

[km]

Right you are McKEE. That's Mayo and Craft on team Reno, a very tough duo.

You must have Sean Felix on your team (Portland Meadows) - a very good handicapper and a regular at the Orleans - you guys will have a great shot at some cash!

REQUEST: when someone gets the Mandatory race list, please post it in this forum -- thanks.

[Cliff]

FRIDAY, JAN. 23
Oaklawn - Race 1
Aqueduct - Race 6
Fair Grounds - Race 5
Laurel - Race 8
Gulfstream - Race 7
Turf Paradise - Race 9
Golden Gate - Race 7
Santa Anita - Race 7

[Cliff]

OP 1 Pyramid Performer vs. Pure American
AQU 6 Struggler's Legend vs. Wavering Truth
FG 5 General Express vs. Roberto's Pride
LRL 8 Hussar vs. Robynthegold
GP 7 Auto Pilot vs. American Star
TuP 9 Rush of Wind vs. Sunny's Siren
GG 7 Tasty Chardoneigh vs. Isleplunder
SA 7 Nicobar vs. Night Life