More than 600 competitors are expected to vie for the $750,000 top prize when the National Horseplayers Championship kicks off Friday in Las Vegas, according to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, which organizes the annual event. Although the final field will not be set until a “last-chance” tournament wraps up Thursday, the NTRA said that the field will include a minimum of 618 competitors, some of which will play multiple entries. The field already includes 11 former NHC champions, including last year’s winner, David Harrison. The first-place prize is estimated this year at $750,000, but several entrants can earn huge bonuses. The six qualifiers from tournaments sponsored by Hawthorne Race Course can earn a $1 million bonus for the win, while the overall points leader in the NHC Tour, Jay Johns, will earn a $5 million bonus with a win. Not including the bonuses, the total prize pool for the tournament this year is an estimated $3 million. :: Take your handicapping to the next level and play with FREE DRF Past Performances - Formulator or Classic.  According to the NTRA, the field includes 140 rookies, including the winner of the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge, Drew Coatney. At least 78 of this year’s competitors have qualified for 10 or more NHC tournaments, and four have attended at least 20 NHCs. The youngest participants are both 23, while the oldest is 83. The average age of the contestants is 56. The field will include 29 female contestants, including the 2001 NHC champion, Judy Wagner. The tourney will take place over three days, with contestants placing mythical win and place bets on both required and optional races throughout the first two days. The field will be whittled down Sunday, with 10 finalists making the final round on Sunday afternoon. This year’s contest will be held at the Horseshoe Las Vegas, which signed an agreement with the NTRA last year to host the NHC through 2026. This is the second year that the tournament is being held in March, rather than its traditional date in late January and early February. The tournament will coincide with the determination of the field for the NCAA basketball tournament following conference matchups throughout the weekend. According to Keith Chamblin, an NTRA vice president, the last few races in the contest on Sunday will be streamed live on the NTRA’s social-media channels. In addition, FanDuel TV will be providing live coverage of the tournament throughout its scheduled programming on Friday through Sunday. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.