‘This is where it’s at’; on the NHC 2018 experience

LAS VEGAS — Sit in the Treasure Island Las Vegas’ convention ball room long enough and you’ll grow used to grown men imitating jockeys, urging themselves on with a tightly bound racing form, while across the room others wave their arms, willing a horse to the finish line.

Once in a while, the room focuses on a single, mandatory betting race at the National Horseplayers Championship. The noise — and agitation — escalates later in the day.

“This,” said a member of the Treasure Island staff, “is unlike anything we see all year.”

Spoken by someone who works on the Las Vegas Strip, in a casino and hotel known for its life-sized pirate ship.

There’s no buying your way into the room, where Friday through Sunday a record field of 702 entries from 568 individuals are in play for an $800,000 top prize. The group includes 195 first-time qualifiers who took quickly to the atmosphere.

“I thought it was really cool for the first mandatory when everyone’s eyes looked up and they started cheering,” said Kyle King, a first-time NHC player from Illinois. “That was a pretty interesting sporting experience.”

Mix the time crunch of win and place bets with races all over the country, and you’ve got a lively cash bar, even with the last of the NHC races over by around 5 p.m. local.

“There are a lot of characters in the room, so that kind of keeps us loose,” said Steve Nemetz, who for the last five years has qualified for the NHC with his wife, Wendy Long. “We have our own techniques, and we come prepared. We have a good strategy, and we don’t change it if we’re not doing very well. We keep on the same course."

The industry has embraced the NHC as, among the field are multiple owners who had their horses competing in Friday’s mandatory betting races. They were given similar alternatives to handicap, hoping to add to their totals.

Chris “The Bear” Fallica of College GameDay fame qualified, while Churchill Downs race caller Travis Stone is in the field. Vic Stauffer, Oaklawn’s announcer, arranged for Lone Star Park’s Jim Byers to fill in this weekend while he’s competing.

“We’d like to say hello, and good luck, to the players at Treasure Island in Las Vegas,” Byers said before the first mandatory race from Oaklawn.

The room let out a cheer. Minutes later, there was mixed reaction as second choice Minister Nick hit the wire in front.

Another moment of levity? When a horse named Willie Ever Live was announced as a late scratch from Oaklawn’s 6th.

“This tournament — it’s the pinnacle, so it’s an awesome experience,” said Kenny Shaw, who only plays live contests, nothing online. “The room starts levitating as soon as a big longshot pops up. It’s awesome. This is where it’s at.”