Herman Miller
Home: Oakland, Calif.
Age: 53
Occupation: Landscaper
Bio: Miller became the third Daily Racing Form/NTRA Handicapper of the Year with his victory on Jan. 25-26, 2002 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Miller qualified for the national finals playing in his first-ever handicapping contest at Golden Gate Fields, officially becoming the final qualifier in the final qualifying contest of 2001 with his fourth-place finish in that regional event. The native of Macon, Georgia amassed a bankroll of $205.30 to win NHC III despite missing a race and making only 14 of his 15 alloted wager on day one of the two-day finals. Miller led NHC III after the first day of competition thanks in part to a $75.20 winner at Gulfstream Park. After losing the lead midway through Saturday's final round, Miller closed strongly to recapture the lead late in the day en route to victory. Including day one prize money of $3,000, and team prize money of $1,000 (Golden Gate finished third in the team competition), Miller finished NHC III with total earnings of $104,000 (currently second on the all-time list behind NHC IV winner Steve Wolfson Jr.). Herman was introduced to horse racing by friend, and he's been handicapping since first visiting Golden Gate in 1988. Winning the NHC enabled him to pay for some of his daughter's college education. His other interests outside of racing include playing golf, and chess.
Photo: Harold Roth/Horsephotos