“Horseplayers,” a new docuseries for The Esquire Network that will follow handicappers on their quest to qualify for the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) in January 2014, was on location at the Triple Crown and this past weekend at the Belmont Park Handicapping Challenge.
Filming will continue throughout the year at handicapping tournaments at Monmouth Park, Del Mar, Saratoga, Woodbine, Arlington Park, Keeneland, Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park, before concluding at the NHC at the Treasure Island Las Vegas.
“The horseplayer is a vital part of our industry, and we are delighted that this new series will feature racing fans in action at some of our sport’s most beautiful racetracks,” said Alex Waldrop, President and CEO of the NTRA. “Handicapping is one of the most exciting, challenging and rewarding aspects of Thoroughbred racing, and tournament play leading to the National Championship in Las Vegas adds another dimension that we believe can grow the appeal of Thoroughbred racing.”
Horseplayers also figure prominently in the NTRA’s work in Washington, DC. This year, the team is seeking to redefine the cost of a wager to better reflect the realities of exotic wagering and dramatically reduce the number of winning tickets that are subject to current withholding and reporting requirements.