Estimated prize money for the National Handicapping Championship finals in 2015 will total $2 million, up about 25% from this year, officials said June 19.
The NHC, a joint project of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Daily Racing Form, will be held Jan. 23-25 at Treasure Island Las Vegas. Qualifying tournaments already have been held and continue through this year.
Another $200,000 in previously announced prize money will be distributed as part of the 2014 NHC Tour, which brings the estimated total for the NHC and NHC Tour to $2.2 million.
The NTRA in a release said the increases were possible because of "robust participation" in NHC qualifying contests by NHC Tour members. Tour membership, a requirement to be eligible to qualify for the NHC, has increased this year.
"Virtually all of our qualifying tournaments—on site and online—continue to perform very well," NTRA senior vice president Keith Chamblin said. "We have more than 1,350 new tour members thus far in 2014. The NHC will only grow as more people are introduced to tournament contests and experience the thrill of competing for a spot in Las Vegas and a chance at the winner's share of $2 million in prize money. These are life-changing sums being offered to the top finishers."
The finals, held over three days, will again feature a final 50 and a final 10.
