Getting to Know Handicapper Dan Kovalesky

For some, making it to the National Handicapping Championship (NHC) - the World Series of horse betting - is the ultimate achievement. Imagine being Dan Kovalesky, who just returned from his fourth trip to the NHC.
While he didn’t cash this year, the 32-year-old sales rep from Scottsdale, Arizona, can be proud of the fact that he qualified with two entries, including one earned at the last possible moment. He spoke to America’s Best Racing correspondent Dan Tordjman about what it takes to get to the NHC, his approach to making money on racing and why contests are a big part of the future of the sport.
So, you've made it to the NHC four times. What does it take to make it to the NHC?
You really need to understand value in a race. Most qualifiers for it, or to get into the big cash contests where they give away seats, are Win and Place contests. So you really need to understand when and where to play longshots and if it’s going to be a low score or a high score kind of day.
What was your experience like this year? How did you qualify?
I had some real close calls earlier in the year on qualifying. I didn’t put a huge press on qualifying, figuring I would get there soon. Of course, time started running out and it took me to Thanksgiving weekend to qualify on Twinspires.com. I really wanted to get two entries (the maximum per-player at the NHC) earlier in the year, so after I snagged my first I was thinking the best place to land a second was the last chance qualifier the day before the NHC. I had some strong opinions and was lucky enough to land quite a few winners and got my second entry by winning that last chance tourney at Treasure Island.

You actually finished fifth a few years ago. What was that like?
Really crazy, it was my second NHC. I was really new to the tournament scene still.  I had basic ideas of what I thought I would need dollar wise just to finish top 50 and get some money.  Each day I just kept creeping up the leader board. Most of the horses I wanted to play were all overlays (odds were higher than the horse’s actual chances of winning) and kept winning. It was really great to make the final table the first year they had it and gave me confidence that I could compete with some of the better players out there.
STEVE CRIST, KOVALESKY AND ALEX WALDROP WITH HIS TOP FIVE TROPHY
 
You're not a full time bettor. Tell us how you're able to strike a balance between work and contest play.
Since I have gotten more serious about these tournaments, I just put together a calendar of all the events I want to play in and the few that I really want to play in. I have a flexible enough job where I can take off a Thursday/Friday and fly in for the weekend from anywhere like Santa Anita to Sioux Falls, South Dakota for a tournament.
How often do you play in contests?
It really varies. I try to qualify for all the key live money and on-track contests I want to play in. I try to play in four or five on-site ones a year and I’ll sprinkle in some online ones when I can.
What's your general approach to handicapping? What do you enjoy most about it?
I just like the puzzle that races bring together and that’s why I like contests so much. They force you to look at races you might normally not, or tracks you might normally gloss over. I really just enjoy the challenge of trying to breakdown and predict how a race will run.
HANGING OUT AT CHURCHILL DOWNS

Since you're an NHC "veteran" now, tell me a little bit about how you've seen it evolve over the years. What has changed?
Simple answer is a lot more players and more really good players are getting involved.  The NHC has changed some things that sure make it more exciting. I really like the idea of how they have the top 10 percent of finishers make it to the final day. Having that cut, I think allows people down the leader board to really take shots at the win, knowing they are in the money.
What do you think the growth of the NHC and contest play, in general, means for racing? How high is the potential upside, in terms of new fan and bettor engagement?
I think the contests are the biggest area of growth for the sport. I think the live money contests are great since they are big boosts on handle, which benefits everyone. The contest scene really has done a great job with putting some lower stake contests out there for players to dip their toes in. I think you saw it with how fantasy sports have grown, people are always attracted to two things that I think contests provide:  1. Bragging rights and 2. BIG CASH.
Rapid fire round …
How and when I was introduced to Thoroughbred racing: Free hot dog day at Canterbury Park in Minnesota.
My favorite racetrack: Santa Anita.
KOVALESKY AT SANTA ANITA

My favorite Thoroughbred racing event: Belmont Stakes Day.
Other sports/teams I follow: Football - Minnesota Vikings, Wisconsin Badgers.
What I would like to see more of in Thoroughbred racing: Lower takeout.
What I would like to see less of in Thoroughbred racing: Races that go off at the same time at different tracks.
Three words that define what Thoroughbred racing means to me: Excitement, cash, beauty.
Favorite all-time Thoroughbred: Curlin.
My personal best moment in the sport of Thoroughbred racing: Singling Union Rags in the Pick-6 Belmont Stakes day and watching him skim up the rail for the win.
Best racetrack food can be found at: Cubano Sandwich at Del Mar.
My favorite jockey: Whoever is on my top pick.
My favorite trainer: Al Stall, Jr.
Favorite non-Thoroughbred racing sports event I have attended: Rose Bowl.
Favorite quote or motto:  From my first time at the horse track: “Hell, he can’t ride and his mom can't drink.” -unknown
Favorite animal other than a horse: Dog.
Favorite food: Pizza.
Favorite vacation spot: Dominican Republic.
Favorite city: San Diego.
Favorite musician/band: Better Than Ezra.
Favorite TV show: Game of Thrones.
Websites I visit daily:  Derbytrail.com
AT THE KENTUCKY DERBY

Favorite movie about horse racing:  Let it Ride.
Alma Mater:  University of Wisconsin.
Favorite dessert: Ice cream.
Favorite drink: Coors Light.
Favorite scent: Money.
Favorite tech gadget: iPad.
Twitter Handle: @triptothederby.
People I follow on Twitter: @voljack @ntamm1215 @utbighair @travisstone @eric_bialek
No. 1 Bucket-List item: Too many tied for first.