Chris “The Bear” Fallica is a name that’s synonymous with sports betting. From his long tenure at ESPN on “College Gameday” to his more recent role as a featured wagering analyst on FOX Sports and the “Bear Bets Podcast,” Fallica is an absolute icon of American sports betting. But did you know that he’s also one of the most competitive horse bettors in the country?

This year, Fallica will again make the trek to Las Vegas for horse racing’s version of the World Series of Poker: The National Horseplayers Championship (NHC).

Organized by the NTRA, the NHC is where some of the best horse bettors in the country compete for millions of dollars in a tournament-style contest over the course of a weekend (March 15-17).

Chris “The Bear” Fallica (Courtesy of Chris Fallica )

We asked Fallica what he’s most looking forward to this year at the NHC. It’ll be his ninth time playing in America’s biggest horse betting contest. In addition to past experience, he’ll also have the advantage of owning two entries in the tournament based on him qualifying in two separate contests over the past year.

“It’s the competition and seeing so many familiar faces in that room year after year. I just love trying to figure out which horses the room may be on and zigging when others are zagging. There’s a ton of mental gymnastics in the process for me,” Fallica said.

“I love talking races through with my friends at the table for differing opinions - ‘Am I right? Am I missing something? He has a good point.’ The roar of the room [during a race] … it’s a rush! So, while the chase of a payday is clearly the goal of everyone in the room, just being around my peers and the experience of it all keeps me coming back.”

America’s Best Racing captured all of the emotions that Fallica experienced back in 2017 when we mic’d him up as he competed in the NHC. You can watch that below. Two years later, he finished 57th in the NHC and took home $5,000. He’s hoping for a better result this year in a contest in which recent winners have regularly brought home at least $725,000. A top finish would hold special meaning to someone who has experienced just about every high one could imagine as a bettor.

“Winning the NHC would be my biggest accomplishment in handicapping. I’ve had some great finishes in online contests and cashed some big tickets, but to win this three-day marathon, with all of the ups and downs that come with it, definitely would be an achievement that I would be extremely proud of and unparalleled in my handicapping career.”