Canadian wins title of top handicapper

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Canadian Brian Troop is the national Handicapper of the Year following weekend competition in Las Vegas.

Troop won the title and $500,000 Saturday at the 11th National Handicapping Championship.

More than 300 horseplayers participated in the annual event sponsored by the Daily Racing Form and National Thoroughbred Racing Association.

The NTRA said Troop, 61, of Barrie, Ontario, had a winning score of $266 from 30 mythical $2 win-and-place wagers.

Robert Gregory, 53, of Durango, Colo., finished in second place and won $150,000. Tim Simmons, 55, of Lexington, Ky., was third, collecting $100,000.