Handicapper and political consultant Michael Beychok somehow stands quietly, only a smile revealing his excitement as the crowd begins chanting and cheering, as a race worth one million dollars to the Baton Rouge, Louisiana resident, runs its course

. Not until the horses cross the finish line does he throw a fist in the air and jump around in a victory dance, amongst now chaotic family and fellow contestants.

This race marked the end of the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championships at the Treasure Island Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, which Beychok, 48, won by just one dollar with a final score of $238.60. NHC 13 had 480 contenders this year, a record high.

Beychok came into the final day in 23rd place with a score of $106.40. He needed $11 to surpass the second place finisher Dave Flanzbaum after the final mandatory race. Beychok selected Glorious Dancer as the one who he would trust to bring him into first place. Glorious Dancer chased down Greeley's Agenda in the final strides and won by a nose in the ninth at Golden Gate. The pay out for Glorious Dancer was $8.20 to win and $3.80 to place, which put Beychok $1 ahead of Flanzbaum and into the top spot.

The race was an $8,000 maiden claiming dash but ended up being worth so much more in the form of a million dollar cheque, an Eclipse Award with the title of Handicapper of the Year for Beychok.

"After the last mandatory race, I still had four options left to play," Beychok told ESPN. "I started thinking about likely winners in the 2-to-1 and 5-to-2 range, which isn't my normal strategy, but I knew I could win this thing."

Beychok qualified for the 13th NHC by finishing third in the TwinSpires.com Online Handicapping Championship on November 19 and said he had never won a tournament until now.

“I've never actually won a tournament before,” Beychok said. “I've had seconds and thirds, so I guess I picked the right time to win one.”

Beychok also told ESPN what he planned to do with his winnings.

"I definitely plan to invest this back into racing," Beychok said. "I own a few horses and would like to own a few more."

The life-changing win also provided Beychok an exemption into NHC 14.