Details on the "mega qualifier" announced.

[Mall]

As reported in Brisnet's Handicapper's Edge this morning:

"TwinSpires.com, the official advance deposit wagering service for Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) and its family of racetracks, will offer horseplayers an unprecedented opportunity to qualify to compete in the 2008 Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association National Handicapping Championship IX ("NHC IX") in the "TwinSpires.com Biggest Vegas Qualifier Ever," an online competition set for December 15.

The top 15 finishers in the "TwinSpires.com's Biggest Vegas Qualifier Ever" will be guaranteed spots in the field for NHC IX, which is scheduled for January 25-26 in Las Vegas. The winner of the qualifier will earn a first place prize of at least $10,000 and will be eligible for a $1 million bonus if he or she also wins NHC IX. The "TwinSpires.com Biggest Vegas Qualify Ever" will also offer five spots to compete in the Coast Casino Horseplayer World Series, which will be held in Las Vegas the same week as NHC IX.

The handicapping contest will be conducted online through Churchill Downs Incorporated's account wagering service, TwinSpires.com. Participants may register online at www.twinspires.com. The entry fee is $250 and each contestant in the "Biggest Vegas Qualifier Ever" will be limited to two entries. Contestants can also register for the contest through BrisBET.com, TsnBET.com and WinTicket.com.

"The 'TwinSpires.com Biggest Vegas Qualifier Ever' is a 'can't miss' opportunity for players looking to earn an elusive spot in the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship," said Jeremy Clemons, vice president of marketing for TwinSpires.com. "We hope to show horseplayers that TwinSpires.com is the most player-friendly account wagering site in racing. This qualifier will offer the greatest number of spots in NHC ever awarded in a single-day contest."

The one-day online tournament will be structured around the traditional win/place format on a set number of mandatory races for all contestants. The tournament director will be Brisnet Marketing Director Rich Nilsen, a veteran handicapping contestant.

"What makes this tournament so appealing to play is the limited number of entries and unprecedented number of qualifying spots," Nilsen said. "As a horseplayer, you have to like your chances when only 500 contestants are competing for 20 qualifiers -- 15 to the National Handicapping Championship and five to the Horseplayer World Series. It is without a doubt the best proposition of the year for tournament players."

Players can find more information and register for the contest by visiting www.twinspires.com. Brisnet.com will be offering special racing information packages for the contest races beginning Thursday evening, December 13."

My understanding is that the "set number" of mandatory races is 15, and will be taken from tracks across the country, excluding Aqu. I haven't confirmed this, but my best guess is that the fact you can sign up through through WinTicket probably means they will be using the same excellent leaderboard system as is used in the nhc online contests. The only bad news appears to be that those who live in states where one cannot open an account at one of their three ADWs will not be eligible to compete---at least not technically.

[Immanuel Kant]

This qualifier will offer the greatest number of spots in NHC ever awarded in a single-day contest."


....and it will be limiting those who can play, not be first come , first served, but by where they live. I have problems with qualifiers that restrict participation under any circumstance, eg. TOC, however 15/275 spots, is a significant percentage that is being made unavailable to many who would like to participate.

[Mall]

Your point is valid, obviously, but it's important to keep in mind that Twin Spires, which would be more than happy if everyone was eligible, is not the one doing the restricting. Rather, the restriction is courtesy of state legislatures exercising their power to promote the health, welfare and safety of the citizenry, which coincidentally in a number of instances limits games of chance to state owned lotteries and casinos owned by campaign contributors.

[Immanuel Kant]

Your point is valid, obviously, but it's important to keep in mind that Twin Spires, which would be more than happy if everyone was eligible, is not the one doing the restricting. Rather, the restriction is courtesy of state legislatures exercising their power to promote the health, welfare and safety of the citizenry, which coincidentally in a number of instances limits games of chance to state owned lotteries and casinos owned by campaign contributors.

totally agree with your point Mall........my complaint is not with Twin Spires, who would be delighted to have me, a Canadian, and everyone they could as a customer. My complaint is with the NHC, as they are allowing 15/275 seats at the big dance to be limited in this fashion. In my opinion, this does not allow for a level playing field.

[AlanLN]

Participants may register online at www.twinspires.com. The entry fee is $250 and each contestant in the "Biggest Vegas Qualifier Ever" will be limited to two entries. Contestants can also register for the contest through BrisBET.com, TsnBET.com and WinTicket.com.


Looks like no contest play for Colorado residents. Maybe I'll "move" back home to Iowa with Mom for awhile. :D