2023 National Horseplayers Championship scheduled for March 10-12

The 2023 National Horseplayers Championship has been scheduled for March 10-12 in Las Vegas, the organizers of the tournament said, a later date than usual but one that might become the permanent date in the future.

The tournament, to be held at the rebranded Horseshoe Las Vegas, formerly Bally’s, has been typically held in late January or early February. But NTRA officials said Wednesday that the extension of the NFL season by one week last year has led to some conflicts in holding the tournament during those traditional time periods, and that March dates may make more sense in the future.

“Ideally, this could be an event that is held in early or mid-March for the long-term,” said Keith Chamblin, a senior vice president at the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, which organizes the tournament.

The March tournament date next year will be the same weekend as the NCAA basketball conference tournaments, and a later date also would coincide with warmer weather at many racetracks, Chamblin said. That could open up more options for horseplayers in the NHC, which includes optional races picked by entrants, along with mandatory races, Chamblin said.

This year’s tournament, held the first weekend in February, had total prizes and awards of $3.5 million. The winner of the tournament is given an Eclipse Award for Horseplayer of the Year at an awards banquet held on the night of the final day of the tournament.