Final Thoughts

[km]

The awards dinner was a smash. Awesome banquet room, great food and service and everyone was highly praiseworthy of the Red Rock hotel and tournament situation (although there were grumbles about some of the seating - maybe TejasKid will comment on his "picnic table" seat!). Mel Moser ("Mall") was introduced by the NTRA for the excellent work he did in helping get player feedback and organizing the new tournament tour. It's going to be an exciting event this year.

Daven, Judy and all the other prize winners received their checks - which were cashable in "chips, checks, or cash" at the casino cage. Top 30 received graduated prize money, a nice touch this year; in other words, the 24th place finisher, Daven, received more money than the 25th place finisher.

Richard was called last and applauded heavily as the winner - and received his first prize of $500,000. He was extremely gracious in thanking Mayo for introducing him to HTR and acknowledging me by name also. But he saved his highest accolades for his sweetheart, partner and wife Sally who is beloved by everyone that attends these contests.

Some "tops" for Rich -->
= Highest total NHC score ever (15 race format) 272 points
= Largest margin of victory, he won by about 80 points, so he was untouchable.
= Largest prize money awarded - much of it coming from the on-line contest pools
= First person to win the NHC via an online contest
= He is the first to receive a new champions ring - he'll also get an Eclipse Award next year

Several other HTR players (and bbs members) did very well without cashing at the NHC including =
Michael McKee (MVM) 35th
Wes Burquest (Burk) 39th
TJ Taylor (valupix) 40th

Just one HTR subscriber that we know of cashed at the HWS -
Dave Porter finished 65th with 1400+ points
The rest of us were shut out
Top Score there was 2900+ and top10 required about 2000 points
thank you Ernie for the info

I had an eventful drive home in the rain, fog and sleet as the storm hit on Saturday night. Luckily i was about the only person leaving Las Vegas on a Saturday night. Santa Anita got lucky and break in the weather to pull off the Sunshine Millions day on a track that was pounded to blazing fast and produced a world record 6.0f 1:06.2.

[km]

Cellphone photo of me and the champ behind his BIG check

[tuleythetout]

For the record...Wolfon Jr's 279.60 is still tops
Goodall does have record for margin of victory...$78

[Huguenot]

Cellphone photo of me and the champ behind his BIG check

Now how would you get that check in your luggage? Can you fold it? Do banks take checks that big? :D:D

Seriously, I would love to hear how Richard used HTR to make his championship picks, much the way JB did in a newsletter last year.

[trendcat]

ken you gave it your best ,but you can be proud how many people use HTR to win handicapping contests
does anyone know if the users of the other handicapping software out there
win that many contests,probably not
good luck to rich for winning the contest;)

[Mall]

Richard's performance under very difficult conditions---including on day one the expected cancellation of SA, followed by the unexpected cancellation of OP---was nothing short of amazing. After day one, moreover, most of the "smart money" certainly seemed to be on one or more of the many other players at or near the top of the leaderboard, which included some very tough and very experienced contest players and professional horseplayers.

I'm not sure there are words to adequately descirbe how popular Richard's victory was, except perhaps to say that Richard and his wife are well liked by players who have only met them casually, or haven't met them at all.

A good example of why Richard and Sally are so well regarded came at the dinner when, in contrast to some years, Richard's humble and heartfelt words were very touching and very well received. When someone who has Richard's contest resume, and who has been widely known as a top notch handicapper for many years, gets up and publicly thanks Mayo---just for introducing him to km---and then goes on to describe HTR as a real "eye-opener" and the thing that made the difference, I think that just about says it all.

Hats off to a very deserving Champ.

[TEJASKIDD]

As far as my "Picnic Table" seat was concerned, I didnt even use it. I made the mistake of not telling the NTRA that I needed an outlet for my laptop. I think everyone that used a computer received a good seat. Those without computers ended up in either a good seat or the PICNIC TABLES.
As far as Richard is concerned, I've spoke to him a couple of times, and to Sally as well. I've nothing but respect and admiration for both of them and it couldnt have happened to a nicer couple. Now that he's already qualified for next years tournament, perhaps he won't be on the road trying to win the tour. One less fierce competitor is always good for the rest of us.
As far as HTR is concerned, I really wish I was the one up there thanking Ken and Tommy C. I really didnt get to in to the program this weekend. I'm sure it takes time to understand all the little quirks and I am sure I'll be tinkering with the program for awhile before I'm comfortable enough to pull the trigger on a 50-1 shot that I look at and say "How the hell can I play this horse?"
Anyway, Good Luck to Yaw'l (the Texan in me) and we'll see yawl down the road.

[MVM]

Just got back from Vegas after spending the night on the floor in LAS (not a tournament hangover, just a 7 hour flight delay).

I wanted to echo all the positives everyone else on here has mentioned about Richard and throw in my cogratulations as well. It's too bad everyone here was not in LV to hear Richard's acceptance comments, I would think most everyone in the room had a lump in their throat and a bit of mist in their eyes, true graciousness from a winner will do that to you.

For now, I've got to get back to some of my old Veterinary A&P books and try to figure out exactly what part of the chicken that was on my plate Saturday night!

[jbw]

Congrats again Richard. We could not be happier for both you and Sally!! As I told you Sat. the $$ are great but the friendships and respect that will have legs for years to come will be priceless. I vividly remember the night Bryan and I meet you and Sally - at the awards banquet when Bryan and Sally qualified at MGM in 2001. That night was the beginning of quiet a few celebrations we have shared. We are so thrilled!!! It is apparent you have lots of friends and admirers as well as being greatly respected - you deserve it all!!! After day one knowing your handicapping skills I never doubted that you had the skills and strategy to get the gold. Relax, enjoy your free ride this year - As you know you do not have to worry about Sally - she will be back by your side next year. We are glad to call you our champion and friend!!

J & B Wagner

[Donnie]

Very nice tribute, Judy.

From the DRF site:

During his acceptance speech, Goodall sincerely thanked all the friends he had met through handicapping tournaments.

"We have a fraternity here," he said. "Everyone wants to beat everyone else, but when they're out of it they root for you and it's not baloney."

Goodall told the crowd he's a longtime user of the Form and also uses Brisnet, but said the HTR software program of Ken Massa took his game to a new level.

And even though he had more than half a million dollars waiting for him, he said, "The luckiest day of my life was when I met my wife."

I think we are witnessing the definition of Class here.