Tag: National Horseplayers Championship

The 2023 National Horseplayers Championship moves from January to March for 2023. (Image: NTRA)

NHC Moves from January, Adds to 2023’s March Madness in Las Vegas

- 2 min read

As if Las Vegas wasn’t already awash in March Madness, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Wednesday it’s moving the 2023 National Horseplayers Championship from January to March. Next year’s NHC will run from March 10-12 at the rebranded Horseshoe Las Vegas, the hotel formerly known as Bally’s. That weekend […]

David Harrison (center) became the 23rd winner of the National Horseplayers Championship in the 23-year history of the event. Presenting the $725,000 first-price check are NTRA President Tom Rooney (left) and NTRA COO and NHC Tournament Director Keith Chamblin. (Image: NTRA)

Harrison Goes ‘Old-School,’ Becomes Newest NHC Champion

- 3 min read

During the week, David Harrison is a real estate appraiser. On the weekends, however, he appraises Thoroughbreds as an old-school handicapper. This weekend, he proved himself as the best appraiser of horseflesh in the world. Harrison bested a field of 643 entries at Bally’s Las Vegas, capturing the 23rd annual […]

The 2022 National Horseplayers Championship begins Friday at Bally's Las Vegas. The NHC is the most prestigious handicapping tournament in the world. (Image: NTRA)

Youngest Winner Mustari Returns to Defend Elusive NHC Title

- 3 min read

Five months after the youngest champion in National Horseplayers Championship history walked out of Bally’s Las Vegas with that crown, the 2022 NHC returns to Las Vegas with 509 individuals dueling over three days for $3.5 million in cash and prizes. That purse went back up after taking a COVID-related […]

Justin Mustari became the youngest winner of the National Horseplayers Championship. The 26-year-old Des Plaines, Ill. resident outlasted 563 entries to win the most prestigious handicapping contest in the country. (Image: Horsephotos)

Catching 19/1 Lightning in a Bottle Makes Mustari Youngest NHC Winner

- 3 min read

Justin Mustari will remember the name Rose’s Crystal every day for the rest of his life. He’ll remember it every time he walks into his new house and looks at the Eclipse Award on the mantle. And he’ll remember the name of the filly who made him the youngest champion […]

The National Horseplayers Championship is a three-day, ballroom blitz of handicapping races from seven tracks. The winner of the prestigious event earns an Eclipse Award and $700,000. (Image: Horsephotos.com/NTRA)

Handicapping’s Best of the Best Ride Into Las Vegas for 2021 NHC

- 3 min read

The National Horseplayers Championship begins Friday at Bally’s in Las Vegas with a different vibe, new tracks, and fewer competitors. Changes aside, the biggest handicapping tournament in North America is moving forward 18 months after the 2020 NHC got in just under the COVID wire. Sponsored by the National Thoroughbred […]

The National Horseplayers Championship is the most prestigious handicapping event in the world. Normally in February, it's Aug. 27-29 at Bally's in Las Vegas. (Image: Horsephotos)

NTRA Picks Seven Tracks for 2021 National Horseplayers Championship

- 2 min read

Switching racetracks on the fly because of its revised summer date, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association selected seven North American tracks for its premier handicapping event – the National Horseplayers Championship. The NTRA covered the racing spectrum with its seven selected tracks. It included the three premier summer tracks: Del […]