Oaklawn to hold NHC qualifier

Oaklawn Park's qualifying tournament for the Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association National Handicapping Championship will be held two months earlier this year, on the weekend of June 14-15. The first three finishers will earn a fees-paid berth into the national final, which will be held in Las Vegas in January 2009.

Oaklawn's qualifier will have a purse of $25,000, with $10,000 going to the winner. The purse is based on 150 entries, Oaklawn spokesman Jason Milligan said.

"Our tournament will be open to 225 players," he said. "The entry fee will be $350, of which $120 will cover the player's tournament bankroll."

Milligan said the deadline for entries to the Oaklawn qualifier is June 11.