NHC to return to Red Rock

The $1 million Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship is returning to the Red Rock Casino next year, the casino and the NTRA announced Thursday. The 10th NHC will take place January 23-24.

This past January, 278 handicappers played in the NHC at Red Rock. This year, more than 100,000 people are expected to attempt to qualify.

"Last years event was the best NHC ever, and the enthusiasm and professionalism of the Red Rock staff was apparent throughout the competition, said Keith Chamblin, senior vice president of communications and industry relations for the NTRA.

The NHC is the culmination of a year-long series of NTRA-sanctioned local tournaments conducted by racetracks, casino racebooks, off-track betting facilities and horse racing and handicapping Web sites, each of which sends its top three qualifiers to the national finals.