The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) signed a
two-year agreement with Treasure Island Las Vegas to be the new site for the Daily
Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) beginning January
2012.
The Daily Racing Form/NTRA National
Handicapping Championship is the culmination of a year-long series of
NTRA-sanctioned local tournaments held at racetracks, casinos’ Race &
Sports books and off-track betting facilities, as well as horse racing and
handicapping websites. The top qualifiers from each tournament are sent to the
national finals. The 2012 NHC has an estimated purse of $2 million.
“We are very excited to bring the National
Handicapping Championship to Treasure Island,”
said Keith Chamblin, senior vice president of communications and industry
relations for the NTRA. “The management team was wonderfully enthusiastic about
its interest in hosting the NHC, and I know the property will provide an
outstanding setting for next year’s competitors.”
Treasure Island owner Phil Ruffin
added, “We are looking forward to a long and successful relationship with the
NTRA and believe this will be the first of many contests to come.”
Treasure Island becomes the fourth host of the NHC, which
has taken place in Las Vegas
since its inception in 2000. The overall purse for January’s NHC will nearly
double to an estimated $2 million with the event’s grand prize doubling to an
estimated $1 million. Approximately 500 horseplayers are expected for the 2012
event, up from 301 during the 2011 NHC.