Tammy Johns Leads After Day Two of 27th National Horseplayers Championship

Defending champion Dan Piazza sits in fifth place as he aims to become the first two-time NHC winner

Mar. 15, 2026 at 6:49am

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Tammy Johns of Meridian, ID, took the overall lead after Day Two of the 27th National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) National Horseplayers Championship (NHC), presented by Caesars Race and Sportsbook, Horseshoe Las Vegas, and Racetrack Television Network (RTN). Johns, and 82 others who comprise the top 10 percent of the NHC field, will compete in the Semi-Final Round on Sunday morning. The top 10 following Sunday morning's Semi-Final will square off at the Final Table Sunday afternoon, where the 2026 NHC Champion will take home $825,000 and an Eclipse Award as the Horseplayer of the Year.

Why it matters

The NHC is the most important tournament of the year for horseplayers and is the culmination of a year-long series of NTRA-sanctioned local tournaments. The winner is recognized as the Horseplayer of the Year and receives an Eclipse Award.

The details

Day Two required contestants to wager on 20 races, including eight mandatory and 12 optional races, from eight eligible tracks. Jeff VanDrie of Carefree, AZ, was the leading point earner on Day Two, compiling a bankroll of $202.16. He currently sits in 19th position overall with a two-day total of $215.40 and won a $10,000 Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge berth for being the Day Two leader.

  • The 27th NHC is taking place from March 13-15, 2026 in Las Vegas.
  • Day Two of the NHC was on March 14, 2026.
  • The Semi-Final Round and Final Table will be held on March 15, 2026.

The players

Tammy Johns

A horseplayer from Meridian, ID who currently leads the overall NHC standings after Day Two.

Dan Piazza

The defending NHC champion who currently sits in fifth place as he attempts to become the first two-time winner of the NHC.

Jeff VanDrie

A horseplayer from Carefree, AZ who was the leading point earner on Day Two of the NHC, compiling a bankroll of $202.16.

Jude Feld

A broadcaster for Horse Racing Radio Network (HRRN) who won Saturday's $10,000 NHC Charity Challenge, presented by NTRA Charities and benefiting the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) and Old Friends Farm.

Ellis Starr

An Equibase employee who finished in second-place in the NHC Charity Challenge with a bankroll of $79.60.

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What they’re saying

“I'm feeling really good. I'm a little tired – I've been up handicapping a couple nights in a row, but I feel good. My husband gave me good advice way back in the day. I used to throw all the longshots in there, and he's like, 'That's a really bad strategy.' So basically, I'm playing smallball? Get on base, get a hit, and just keep winning, whether it's five dollars, whether it's forty, whether it's ten, you kinda need them all. I think that's what I'll continue to do.”

— Tammy Johns

“Today, my strategy was just looking at races as they come and letting the odds tell me where to go. I wasn't as prepared for today as I was yesterday, and since I was prepared yesterday and didn't do very good at all, I figured today I would just take the races as they came and pick and choose as the odds floated into areas that I thought I could play. It turned out to be a working move.”

— Jeff VanDrie

“Hard to believe I've won this event three times. It's so fun for me to compete against my friends and colleagues who are super sharp. One of my best pals, Ellis Starr, was second. We did a radio show together in Lexington 25 years ago. I'm hoping Old Friends has a spot for me!”

— Jude Feld, Broadcaster, Horse Racing Radio Network (HRRN)

What’s next

The top 10 finishers following Sunday morning's Semi-Final round will square off at the Final Table on Sunday afternoon, where the 2026 NHC Champion will be crowned.

The takeaway

The NHC is the premier event for horseplayers, with a record $5.2 million in cash and prizes up for grabs this year. Tammy Johns is looking to become the first female champion since 2001, while defending titleholder Dan Piazza aims to make history as the first two-time winner.