The Chase Begins

The first event for the 2010 NHC Tour begins Saturday 1/2 with XpressBet’s ‘Beat the Host’ Challenge.

The qualifying is fairly simple. Qualifying runs for 9 weeks (1/2 to 2/27) with each week being a separate event and separate qualifier.
Eight mandatory races with only ‘win’ wagers and a ‘live’ bankroll, and if you win more cash than the host – Bingo – into the XpressBet finals on 3/13! Jon White and Jeff Siegel will rotate as host.

If I can’t beat the host once out of nine weeks, well my dog can do that barking out numbers.
Obviously XpressBet is just trying to drive customers to their updated site for 2010, but there are some good prizes besides qualifying for the finals:
1. $1,500 weekly prize ($1,000 for 1st, $500 for 2nd)
2. Anyone beating the host all rounds get an automatic 2011 NHC Championship seat
3. Top 5 from the finals get a 2011 NHC seat
4. Top 30 in the finals earn NHC Tour Points
5. Top 25 in the finals earn a seat in XpressBet’s $50,000 non-NHC Showdown

It is a nice two month online tourney to start the 2011 campaign. Since it’s a live bankroll there is no entry fee and being online means no travel expenses, what’s not to like?

Spending New Year’s Eve with the Bon Vivant, mother, and dog. Gave her options - going out, parties, events, etc. - and she chose bringing in dinner and watching football bowl games – how Sweet is that! 2010 is looking good.

For last year's words belong to last year's language - And next year's words await another voice - And to make an end is to make a beginning. ~T.S. Eliot

Goals

If you are not familiar with the NHC Tour, here is a place to begin:
http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=other&id=30638§ion=races

As for beginning, listing 2010 Goals seems proper. As opposed to resolutions which always seem to be primarily a list of what not to do, I set out a few things to which I can look back come December and say ‘Yes, that has been done!’ and hopefully have a few fond memories embedded too.

2010 Goals

1. Join NHC Tour
2. Qualify for 2011 NHC Championship
3. Become true TOBA member
4. Get Van
5. Train Ida a minimum 7 hrs per week
6. Read Bible Cover to Cover
7. No Sugar

Briefly, I’ve already discussed 1 & 2.
(3) This is the year I’ll finally own a race horse and be a Thoroughbred Owner and Breeder (TOBA).
(4) I’ll need transportation to get to these events
(5) Ida is my 1 year old German Sheppard and I’m working with her to ‘Be all she can be.’
(6) I usually set this as one every year, but did not last year
(7) Umm, I’m getting fat(ter)

Well, that is it. I’ll keep this blog limited to these goals, while mostly focused on the NHC Tour.

“Reflect on your present blessings, of which every man has many; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. “ Dickens
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2010 is Coming

2010 is upon us!

One of my dreams for years has been to be able to devote ample energy and time into one of my lifelong pleasures and hobby – Thoroughbred Racing! From the time of attending my first live race at 19, these animals have been my favorite athletes. Over the years I’ve attended tracks on vacation and made a few sporadic fits of online wagering for a week or two, but I’ve never had the time or the means to devote a year to it.

This is the year, and the 2010 National Handicapping Championship Tour and 2011 Championship Tournament is the goal. It is as much about the challenge, competition, and adventure as any prize being offered.

Why a Blog? My Bon Vivant has always journaled since childhood while I have never recorded more than another’s phone number. With her encouragement, I’ve decided to chronicle my quest for better or worse, and let those few who ask ‘Into what craziness have you breached?’ follow as they will.

The flag is up …
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