LEXINGTON, Ky. (Thursday, July 16, 2015) – Horseplayers still seeking a berth to the $2.5 million (estimated) Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship presented by Racetrack Television Network and Treasure Island Las Vegas will have multiple free chances online in August. The third of five free qualifiers presented by the NTRA this year is set for Aug. 2, with the top four earning entries to the world’s richest and most prestigious handicapping contest, while a free Rookie Contest for 2015’s first-time NHC Tour members is scheduled for Aug. 16, with two spots up for grabs.
Both tournaments will be hosted on NHCQualify.com. Registration will open at the website as contest dates draw nearer.
In addition to their NHC entry, those that earn NHC berths also will receive hotel accommodations at Treasure Island and airfare reimbursement to Las Vegas for up to $400.
NHC Tour membership is $50 annually. Individuals can sign up online at ntra./en/nhc/become-a-member/.
In the Aug. 2 contest, the top 10 percent of finishers will earn shares of what is expected to be a massive amount of NHC Tour points, with the total points available to be determined on a sliding scale according to the number of entrants. The Rookie Contest will not carry Tour Points since eligibility is restricted.
NHC 17, to be held Jan. 28-30, 2016, at Treasure Island, is likely to be worth a record purse of more than $2.5 million.
A third previously announced method for attempting to qualify is through a free Aug. 8 contest on DerbyWars.com open exclusively to new Racetrack Television Network (RTN) online subscribers. The winner will receive a guaranteed berth (including travel and lodging) to NHC 17. As with the Rookie Contest, the RTN tournament will not carry Tour Points since eligibility is restricted.
Only first-time RTN customers who sign up before Aug. 7 will be eligible for the Aug. 8 qualifier. To subscribe, or for more information, visit RTN online at RTN.tv.
For more information on the NHC and NHC Tour, visit www.ntra.com/en/nhc.
About NHC
In its 17th year, the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship is the most important tournament of the year for horseplayers and is the culmination of a year-long series of NTRA-sanctioned local tournaments conducted by racetracks, casino race books, off-track betting facilities and horse racing and handicapping Web sites, each of which sends its top qualifiers to the national finals. Each year, the NHC winner joins other human and equine champions as an honoree at the Eclipse Awards. In addition to the founding title sponsor, the NHC is presented by Racetrack Television Network and Treasure Island Las Vegas.