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Iowa resident and Brisnet.com member, Kent Meyer claimed the $240,000 Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship contested January 23 & 24, 2004. The winner strung together two amazing days of handicapping to earn the title of 2004 Handicapper of the Year. In second place after day one, Meyer surged to victory late in the afternoon on the final day to claim the crown. For his efforts, Meyer won the grand prize of $100,000, a trip to the Eclipse Awards, plus $2,000 for finishing second on day one.
Making his second straight National Handicapping Championship appearance, Meyer qualified for this year's contest at the Bettor Racing OTB in Sioux Falls, S.D. Prior to the start of last year's tourney he took advantage of being in Las Vegas to elope. He still managed to finish 32nd in NHC IV.
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 2003 Handicapper of the Year Kent Meyer awarded his $100,000 check. |
"I had so much fun last year, I really just wanted to qualify again," Meyer said, who normally only plays in one or two tournaments a year. "I think last year's experience helped me a lot. I'd never been in anything like this before, and I was much more comfortable this time. It's nerve-wracking to hear the hooting and hollering around the room. It got to me last year, but I didn't pay much attention to it this year." "I usually look at a race and see if I think I can beat the favorite, and you're always looking for prices in tournaments," Meyer said. "My horses weren't finishing second. When my horses were up there they were all winning, and that's probably why I won the tournament. I knew going in this is a really tough tournament to win, but if you had a couple big days you could do it." |
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The success of Brisnet.com members did not end there. First-time qualifiers Randy Franklin, Ralph Buston and Larry Kaplan each placed in the top ten in the two-day event. Arizona native Randy Franklin won $15,000 for finishing in third place and Buston and Kaplan each respectively earned $2,000 for their seventh and tenth place finishes. Kaplan's good fortune did not end there. The telecommunications executive from Illinois won another | |
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$3,000 for having the top bankroll on day two and $1,250 as a member of the third place Arlington Park team. His total take for the championship was $6,250. Also, enjoying success on day two was noted tournament player and Brisnet member Ross Gallo. Gallo's third place finish on day two was worth $1,000.
In the team play competition, Brisnet.com members Dave Durkin, Henry Damgaard and John Vitale earned $6,250 each as part of the winning Colonial Downs team. Judith Gonsoulin shared in Larry Kaplan's success by getting a $1,250 check as a member of the third place Arlington Park team. Three Brisnet.com members shared prize winnings in the Match Play contest (head-to-head competition): Juan Lopez, John Ray and Ron Hopkins. All three winners won $1,000. |
 3 Brisnet members helped Team Colonial Downs capture the 1st place Team Prize of $25,000 |
 2004 Brisnet.com Team |
Brisnet.com is now home to all five Handicappers of the Year. For the 2004 tournament members captured $149,250 of the $240,000 in prize money. In total, Brisnet.com members have won well over a half million dollars in the popular contest. Team Brisnet.com put in a valiant effort after slow start on day one. The team of Robert Swickard, William Stevens, Jack Canon and Mike Javert rallied on the second day of the tournament to finish 15th among the 66 teams. |
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Brisnet.com congratulates all this year's winners and wishes them continued success in the future.
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