TREASURE ISLAND TO HOST DAILY RACING FORM/NTRA NATIONAL HANDICAPPING CHAMPIONSHIP
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.
About Treasure Island Las Vegas
Treasure Island on the Las Vegas Strip, a privately owned hotel and casino boasting nearly 3,000 guest rooms, stands alone as the only major Strip property to claim that unique market position. It’s a world-class destination for headline entertainment, the enchanting Sirens of TI nightly outdoor show and Mystère, the classic Cirque du Soleil performance that combines the powerful athleticism, high-energy acrobatics and inspiring imagery that have become the company’s hallmark. Upscale and casual dining choices, hip nightspots and indulgent spa and shopping experiences further complement the one-of-a-kind Treasure Island guest experience. For information or to make a reservation, call 800-288-7206 or visit
www.treasureisland.com.
About the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship
In just its 13th 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. The NHC has enjoyed significant growth during its first 12 years. The inaugural event in 2000 carried an overall purse of $200,000 and a winner’s prize of $100,000.
About the NTRA
The NTRA is a broad-based coalition of horse racing interests consisting of leading thoroughbred racetracks, owners, breeders, trainers, horseplayers and affiliated horse racing associations, charged with increasing the popularity of horse racing and improving economic conditions for industry participants. The NTRA has offices in Lexington, Ky., and Rye Brook, N.Y. NTRA press releases appear on the NTRA web site,
NTRA.com.
