Jay Johns of Meridian, Idaho, amassed 22,370 over the course of 34 contests in 2022 to take home the $75,000 first prize for winning the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) Tour. The president of IHOP Restaurants (formerly International House of Pancakes) is now in the running for a $5-million bonus should he be able to add the NHC at the newly rebranded Horseshoe Las Vegas Mar. 10-12.
“It's such an honor coming out on top in this year-long tour against arguably the absolute best handicappers out there. It's quite a mind challenge on both picking horses and tournament strategy,” Johns said after learning of his victory. “I finished third last year and was determined to improve on that. I'm just happy I won and a big congrats to all those folks competing with me. They made it difficult and exciting to the very last weekend.”
Trey Stiles finished in second place with 22,019 points, while Dylan Donnelly finished in third with 21,998 points. Tim Kindlon was the top rookie finisher of the year, coming in with 17,460 points. Kindlon will be honored at the NHC Champions Dinner on Sunday, March 12 with the Jim Nace Award, named in honor of the longtime contest player who passed away in 2019. The top 20 finishers of the 2022 Tour win cash prizes. The complete 2022 Tour results can be found here.
More than 5500 NHC Tour members participated in 2022 handicapping qualifiers leading to the 2023 NHC. The 2023 NHC Tour season begins Mar. 4. To sign up for the 2023 NHC Tour, click here and for more information on the NHC Tour benefits and to view the official rules go to www.nhctour.com.
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