AMERICAN TURF CLUB LEAD

TwinSpires.com to offer 'Biggest Vegas Qualifier Ever' for NHC

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 and contributing writer to American Turf Monthly.

"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.

 

            The Fair Grounds gets their meeting underway on Thanksgiving Day with the Thanksgiving Day Handicap, a six furlong race that carries a $60,000 purse. The first big stakes day comes a few weeks later on December 8^th, Louisiana Champions Day where they will host 11 races for Louisiana breds with the purses ranging from $50,000 to the big race that holds a purse of $150,000.

            The first Graded race of the meeting happens in the New Year on January 12 when they host the Grade III Lecomte Stakes for three year olds at a mile with a purse of $100,000. They continue the Road to the Derby a few weeks later on February 9^th with the Grade III Risen Star stakes for three year olds at 1 and 1/16^th miles with a purse of $300,000. There are five other stakes that day with three of those stakes holding a Grade III status.

            A month later on March 8^th the Fair Grounds will host their big day. There are six stakes races on this day with four grade II events. The Louisiana Derby, a Grade II for three year olds with a purse of $600,000 will be run at 1 and 1/16^th miles. This race usually has a big impact on the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May.

            The Fair Grounds meeting will run through March 23^rd so there is about four solid months of racing. If you’re not a fan of Florida racing the Fair Grounds is more than a viable alternative. Fair Grounds will race Thursday through Sunday throughout the season, with Mondays added from Dec. 24 through Feb. 18. Many of the top jockeys and trainers will winter at the Fair Grounds so the racing will be of high quality. For more information you can visit the track’s website at www.fairgroundsracecourse.com.