This past weekend, Barrie, Ontario resident Brian Troop, a regular patron at Georgian Downs, won the 11th annual Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) National Handicapping Championship

at the Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas.

In addition to taking home the $500,000 first-place prize, the 61-year-old will receive an Eclipse Award at next year's ceremony. Troop bested 301 other participating punters to secure the win.

Troop got out of the gate very well in the competition, as he reset the event's Day 1 record with a $232.60 bankroll. The previous record for opening-day bankroll was $190.

Troop's score was the third-highest winning score in NHC history behind Steve Wolfson Jr.'s $279.60 in NHC VI and Richard Goodall's $272.30 in NHC IX. Although he posted record numbers during the opening day, Troop only picked one winner and one place horse on Day 2.

"I was lucky, a lot of short prices came in," Troop was quoted as saying in an article on brisnet.com. "I feel like I backed into it."

"Brian is a regular at Georgian Downs and we are really happy for him," said Chris Roberts, director of Racing Operations at Georgian Downs. "It's quite an achievement, and he should be really proud."

Brian Herrity, of Mankato, Minnesota, came next at $240.80, pocketing $40,000 for fourth, and Elaine Kowaleski of Farmingdale, New Jersey, rounded out the top five at $237.80 and won $25,000.

Please join SC in congratulating Brian Troop for his big win!