NTRA LAUNCHES CONTEST FOR FEMALE FANS OF THOROUGHBRED RACING

Promotion Linked to New Book, The Female Fan Guide to Thoroughbred Racing

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) has launched a month-long contest for women, in conjunction with the release of a new book published by DRF Press, The Female Fan Guide to Thoroughbred Racing. The write-in contest, which runs throughout August, challenges women to describe in 50 words or fewer why they are the ultimate fan of Thoroughbred racing.

The Ultimate Female Fan™ contest is open to female residents of the United States who are 18 years or older. The winner will receive a free trip for two to the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships at Belmont Park, Saturday, Oct. 27, as well as a $1,000 wagering voucher. Contestants may submit their entries online at the NTRA's Web site, ntra.com, or by writing to: Ultimate Female Fan Contest, c/o NTRA, 2525 Harrodsburg Road, Lexington, KY 40504. Contest rules are posted at ntra.com.

The contest is jointly sponsored and judged by Female Fan Guide author Betsy Berns, the NTRA, Daily Racing Form and TVG. Berns, the author of female fan guides to pro football and auto racing, will make appearances at racetracks to promote the contest and her new book. The contest will receive on-air promotion on TVG, in the pages of Daily Racing Form and other industry trade publications and in the NTRA Moment-closed loop, two-minute promotional videos that air at NTRA member tracks and are complemented by program ads.

Berns' appearances at NTRA member tracks during August include:

• Aug. 5 Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar, Calif.
• Aug. 12 Emerald Downs, Auburn, Wash.
• Aug. 17-18 Arlington Park, Arlington Heights, Ill.
• Aug. 24-26 Saratoga Racecourse, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

"Females are well represented in our target audiences of light, lapsed and social fans," said Keith Chamblin, NTRA vice president-industry relations and marketing. "The contest is a great way to reach out to those fans, as well as women in our core audience of regular horseplayers."

"We anticipate some wonderful stories as women share their experiences about Thoroughbred racing and what the sport means to them," said Berns. "The fan experience is a window into what makes horseracing so compelling."

Racetracks wishing to purchase copies of The Female Fan Guide at special promotional rates, or schedule an appearance by Betsy Berns, can contact Jamie Haydon at the NTRA, (859) 422-2649, or e-mail him at jhaydon@ntra.com. Consumers may purchase the book online at ntra.com, starting Aug. 8.

The NTRA is a broad-based coalition of horseracing interests, including the American Quarter Horse Association, charged with increasing awareness of Thoroughbred racing and improving economic conditions for industry participants. The NTRA and Breeders' Cup Limited also conduct the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, Thoroughbred racing's year-end Championships consisting of eight races and $13 million in purses and awards, and the Breeders' Cup National Stakes Program, both of which are funded by the industry's owners and breeders. The NTRA has offices in Lexington, Ky., and New York City. A compendium of NTRA press releases appears on the NTRA Web site, ntra.com, and at the Web site for the Breeders' Cup Championship, breederscup.com. Contact the NTRA at ntra@ntra.com.