CDI to Offer $1-Million Bonus for Handicapping Contest

A handicapper who wins a Churchill Downs Inc. qualifying tournament and the 2007 Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship will win a $1-million bonus.

CDI offered the same bonus for this year's contest, held in Las Vegas. The 2007 edition is scheduled for Jan. 26-27, again in Las Vegas.

Sponsored by the Daily Racing Form, the "Million Dollar Bonus Tour" will run throughout 2006 as CDI holds NHC qualifying tournaments at each of its six racetracks. In order to be eligible for the $1- million bonus, winners of the CDI qualifying rounds must be registered members of CDI's customer rewards program, the Twin Spires Club, prior to their participation in CDI tournaments. Membership in the Twin Spires Club is free.

Seven handicappers qualified for the bonus in 2005 and went on to compete in the NHC finals. The highest finisher was William Gonsoulin Jr. of Harahan, La., who finished 12th. CDI qualifying tournaments this year for the 2007 NHC will be held as follows: Hoosier Park (Saturday, July 1), Calder Race Course (July 16), Churchill Downs (Aug. 19), Arlington Park (Sept. 10), Ellis Park (Oct. 21), and Fair Grounds (date to be announced).

"The Million Dollar Bonus Tour was a great success in 2005," CDI senior director of marketing Jeremy Clemons said. "We were very pleased with the response to the program, and we look forward to again partnering with the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship to provide this lucrative opportunity for our contest winners."

Along with the $1-million bonus, the tour qualifier who also wins the National Handicapping Championship will receive a trophy created by internationally acclaimed glass artist Ken vonRoenn Jr., president of Louisville-based Architectural Glass Art.