Jim Benes, Cheryl McIntyre, and Rich Nilsen have been voted by their peers for induction into the National Thoroughbred Racing Association National Horseplayers Championship Hall of Fame. These decorated handicappers represent the 11th class of NHC Hall of Fame inductees and will be recognized during the NHC champions dinner on Sunday, March 16, following the conclusion of the 26th NTRA National Horseplayers Championship at Horseshoe Las Vegas. The Hall of Fame members received the most votes from a ballot sent to nearly 1,000 NHC Tour Members who have been tour members for at least 10 years and have qualified at least once to the NHC.
Jim Benes, a longtime Chicago circuit player from La Grange, Ill., won the 2013 NHC by $1.20 in the closest NHC finish ever. Cheryl McIntyre, from Massillon, Ohio, was the first woman horseplayer to win the NHC tour in 2016. Rich Nilsen, a 30-year racing industry veteran from Tarpan Springs, Fla., is one of only a few horseplayers to finish in the top 10 at the NHC twice and has cashed earnings on four occasions. He has also won eight major handicapping contests.
The NHC Hall of Fame nomination and voting process involves nearly 1,000 NHC tour members. For consideration, individuals must have competed in NHC-sanctioned tournaments and played consistently well over an extended period, gained the respect and admiration of their peers, and contributed to the overall growth and success of the NHC and tournament play in general. Benes, McIntyre, and Nilsen have all made significant contributions to the horse racing industry and are deserving of this prestigious honor.
