Fans may now register for the 2005 Claiming Crown Handicapping Contest keyed to the July 16 Claiming Crown at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn. The online contest challenges handicappers to pick one horse in each of the 11 live races run that day. To register for the contest visit www.ntra.com.The three entrants with the highest total parimutuel return-based on a mythical $2 win and place wager on each horse selected-will receive berths in next January's Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas. The Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship, now in its seventh year, will offer total estimated prize money of $500,000, plus the title of "Handicapper of the Year" to the winner.Round-trip airfare to Las Vegas and hotel accommodations are included with the Claiming Crown Handicapping Contest prize. Entries are limited to one per person. There is also a limit of one entry per valid e-mail address. For complete rules, visit ntra.com.
"Each year the Claiming Crown offers horseplayers one of the year's most difficult handicapping challenges with horses traveling to Minnesota from all over the nation," said Keith Chamblin, senior vice president of marketing and industry relations for the NTRA. "This free contest will heighten interest and fan participation in the 2005 Claiming Crown and send three savvy competitors to the National Handicapping Championship next January in Las Vegas."