Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

National Harness Handicapping Championship to be held at The Meadowlands on February 26, 2005

The inaugural National Harness Handicapping Championship (NHHC), the first national handicapping tournament devoted to harness racing, will be hosted by the Meadowlands Racetrack on February 26, 2005.

The NHHC features qualifying events at racing and gaming establishments across North America, culminating in a championship final hosted by the Meadowlands on Saturday, April 2, 2005, with a $50,000 guaranteed payoff to the winner. A total purse of $105,000 is expected, based on 150 entrants in the final.

The winner will receive not only the $50,000 guaranteed first prize, but also an airline voucher from Continental Airlines good for two tickets anywhere in the continental USA; a guest appearance on the Fox Sports Net Racing From The Meadowlands show; and a page on the Meadowlands' website, www.thebigm.com, featuring their photo and Saturday night handicapping picks for the remainder of the year.

Handicappers can secure a spot in the NHHC by either participating in a qualifying tournament at a partnering outlet, earning a spot through the Meadowlands qualifying tournament on February 26 or paying the $700 entry fee (plus $200 bankroll). The top two finishers in the qualifiers earn a free spot in the NHHC Final. Vouchers, based on the order of finish, will be offered to participants who finish in the top 25 of any NHHC qualifying event. Outlets hosting NHHC qualifiers set their own rules and formats.

The Meadowlands has scheduled its own NHHC qualifier for Saturday, February 26, with a $20,000 guaranteed first prize. The Big M qualifier will have an entry fee of $200 and a live bankroll of $200. The first two finishers of the Meadowlands qualifier automatically earn
berths into the NHHC. Vouchers into the final will also be issued for the top 25 finishers.
Racing fans can also buy their way directly into the NHHC Final by paying $700 (plus $200). For information, visit the Meadowlands web site, www.thebigm.com, or contact
Meadowlands publicity at 201-460-4050.