Doyle rallies to win 12th annual National Handicapping
Championship
John Doyle of Scottsdale, Arizona, moved up the leaderboard early in the
afternoon and overtook Ron Geary late on Saturday to win the 12th annual
Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Association National Handicapping
Championship at the Red Rock Resort and Spa in Las Vegas. The two-day
competition featured 301 horseplayers competing for a record $1.05 million pot,
and the 49-year-old Doyle claimed a $500,000 first-place prize as well as the
title of 2010 Handicapper of the Year after finishing with a final total of
$234.80.
Doyle, who qualified at NHCQualify.com on March 13, entered Day 2 in
19th-place with $91 after Friday’s opening session and steadily improved his
position before vaulting to the lead with the selection of Dapper Gene
(Catienus), who paid $13.20 and $5.40 for winning the 10TH race at Santa Anita,
the eighth and final mandatory race Saturday.
Thomas Anderson and Geary sprinted clear of the pack with Day 1 scores of
$182 and $171.60, respectively, and Geary bypassed Anderson after Saturday’s
fourth mandatory race to claim the lead. But Geary could not hold of the late rush of
Doyle, settling for runner-up honors with a final total of $226.40. Anderson
held for third at $213.40.
John Cianci, who secured the Day 2 prize with $170.20 score Saturday,
finished fourth overall at $211.60. James Templin III ($194), Mark Stovall
($193.50), Rickey Hurd ($188.90), Brisnet.com Director of Marketing Rich Nilsen
($187.4), David Gutfreund ($184.90) and Jerry Barash ($183) rounded out the top
top 10.