Richard Giger Wins Racing Rachel’s Warriors, Advances To National Horseplayers Championship

Horseplayer Richard Giger of Nineveh, Ind. was fourth going into the final leg of the $2,000 Racing Rachel's Warriors Wednesday, Nov. 15 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. A lucky pick in the final race made him a winner and boosted him to the top of the standings for the $1,000 top prize and a seat in the 2024 National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) in Las Vegas.

Giger completed the five-race contest with a total of $37.60 in accumulated earnings from his mock wagers. The second-place finisher, Greg Hudspeth of Noblesville, Ind., was only .50 cents behind with a tally of $37.10.

“I was shocked when they called my name as the winner,” said Giger, who is retired from Caterpillar. “I knew I had the winner in the last race, but I figured someone else above me also had it. That put me in the lead. I am so excited and can't wait to go to Las Vegas.”

In addition to the $1,000 prize, Giger will make his first trip to the NHC Finals, set for March 15 – 17, 2024 at Horseshoe Las Vegas. He also received a $500 travel stipend, three-night hotel stay, and all tournament fees are covered. The contest draws upwards of 600 of North America's top handicappers annually vying for seven figure prize money.

“My uncle used to live out there, so I've been there several times, but never to the NHC,” added Giger. “My friend, Mike Miller, and I are both retired. We started coming up to the track two years ago on Wednesdays. That's our time to get out. We enjoy watching the races, so this is a really exciting thing to win. I've been telling my wife all along I was going to win the final worth $1,000. She won't believe it.”

Giger qualified during Week 12 of the 26-week contest, which began in April. Each week, the top handicapper advanced to the final of Racing Rachel's Warriors, with 21 players claiming their spot for the final. The top five finishers received prizes. In addition to Giger and Hudspeth, Jennifer Hudspeth and Steve Wallace tied for third place, winning $225 each while Rosalie Smothers of Shelbyville, Ind. finished fifth to win $50.

The 21st season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Friday, Nov. 17. Live racing is held Monday through Thursday. First post Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday is 2:30 p.m. Thursday and select Friday racing begins at 2:10 p.m. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis.