NHC Day-1

[km]

NHC qualifiers, please use this space to let us know the results and news from the scene on Day one (Friday) asap. Someone please list the Mandatories for Friday- thanks and grab some points today.

[EddieSweat]

Oaklawn was left off the mandatory race play list on purpose. It appears there is a big chance they may scratch the whole card because of weather.

The party last night was great. Tour winners received there awards.

Most important, the beer was cold, the liquor was top shelf and the wine bottles had corks in them rather than screw tops.

[njcurveball]

Good Luck Team HTR!

[HBee]

Friday - Oaklawn cancelled due to power outage.

[jbshoulda]

Leader at $86.60 but don't know who

[km]

http://www.drf.com/nhc/2009/standings.html

standings at the above link

[Hovard]

At halfway through the day, how are the leaders sitting at 100+?

http://www.drf.com/nhc/2009/standings.html

[Hovard]

1 LRL #7 64.00 cap
9 AQU #9 50.20
1 AQU #4 45.70
7 AQU #4 43.60
2 FG #6 33.60 place
3 SA #8 32.80
7 GP #2 32.00 place
9 LRL #7 31.00 Mandatory
3 GP #2 29.40
7 LRL #3 28.80
4 LRL #3 25.40
1 SA #2 23.40
1 SA #4 22.00 place
3 AQU #3 21.20

[Hovard]

This could shake things up a bit.

[SPIKE]

BRIAN TROOP IN FIRST WITH $ 147.00

[Hovard]

Brian Troop, on fire!

[dehere]

Brian had the winner of the last mandatory for another $12 and change. Last year $228 won the contest (I think) and Brian's sitting at about $233. A bit of adrenalin flowing through the guy's veins right now - with an optional left for the closer at SA. Richard Goodall has about $98 or so and the ever loving Spike has $84.

[Hovard]

Rich Goodall at 100
Spike at 90
Troop on Mars

Still wide open.

[Hovard]

http://www.twinspires.com/content/2010nhccoverage/
Final Mandatory Race of Day 1
01/29/10posted at 4:48 PM
Jill follows Day 1 leader, Brian Troop as the final mandatory race of the day goes off.

[Mall]

After a nice chat with the incomparable Tommy C, Dehere and I spent the day at the racebook in the new casino at City Center, so it wasn't until long after the fact that I saw Brian's record total.

Just got back from the Emerald cocktail party where I got a chance to talk to Jill Byrne about her interview after day one was over, and I think that video is at least as good as the one of him winning the last mandatory, since it's so him. Brian lives in Toronto and drives to contest, often remarkable distances. When he qualfied on points last year, with the exception of Woodbine I think his shortest drive was when he made the trip to Presque for every one of their Tuesday night "preliminary" type contests.

Brian's nothing if not the ultimate grinder, and I'll be very surprised if he doesn't put up enough points tomorrow to make it all but impossible for the rest of the field to catch him.

btw, it was standing room only at the Q&A session, which Mike not surprisingly handled very well. Based on the comments there and elsewhere, I'm cautiously optimistic that the effort to design a Tour based on what the players said they wanted will be a success.

Last but certainly not least, it was clear from the reaction both when the announcement was made and when he gave his acceptance speech that "our" Brian was an extremely popular winner of the Tour Championship.

[Bob]

Hi:

Finished day in T22nd with $103.20. Missed the $$ horse at SA mandatory 6th race...UGH.

Leader was incredibly on fire.

Lots of fun.

Good luck today to all!
Robert (Bob) Gregory

[dehere]

Real kudo to Jill Byrne and Twinspires for the updates they're doing. I love the interview with Brian Troop, especially the swig from the beer toward the end. If you haven't seen it check it out.

[Hovard]

Troop seems to know how to prepare for the second day. Kick back, get some sleep, and put in eight or nine hours in before the start of Day 2. For all the discussion about day prizes, he makes a good point here. He should get some financial recognition for his performance, regardless of what happens Saturday. He has the right demeanor, a good understanding of what he still faces, and would be a good representative of the NHC Tour if things continue to work out for him.