by Chelsea Carrubba, marketing intern, Western OTB/Batavia Downs Casino

Batavia, NY — Western Off-Track Betting will present a National Harness Handicapping Championship contest qualifier in the Batavia Downs Casino Clubhouse on Friday, May 13. Entry fee is $10 and contestants receive $5 back in casino free play.

There are two ways to register: Advance payments can be made by check or money order, made payable to Western Regional Off-Track Betting, 8315 Park Road, Batavia, NY 14020, Attention: Todd H. The deadline to receive advance payments is May 6. Night of the contest registration is also available, but the number of open seats will be determined by the number of prepaid entries. The qualifier is limited to 150 players. Only one entry per person is allowed. The Western OTB website will update daily the number of remaining open seats.

“In previous years this has been a very popular contest,” said Todd Haight, Promotional Marketing Specialist. “I expect we’ll hit our cut off number of 150 players and can’t stress enough that if anyone wants to ensure themselves a seat it’s probably a very good idea to mail in a check in advance.”

The qualifier will consist of races 1-5 at Buffalo Raceway and races 5-9 at the Meadowlands. The clubhouse doors open at 5 p.m. The first contest race begins with the opener at Buffalo Raceway at 6:40 p.m.

All contestants will start with a mythical bankroll of $1,000. A wager must be made on each contest race and wagers are limited to one type per race, either win or place. Only one type of wager and only one horse may be wagered upon in any given race. Contestants must wager at least $10 per race, but no more than 20 percent of their total mythical bankroll on any given race.

The grand prize, valued at $1,500, is a trip to Meadowlands Racetrack to compete in the $50,000 NHHC on July 9. The trip includes two nights hotel accommodations and $500 in expense money. In the event the NHHC is cancelled the grand prize would be $1,500 in cash.

Contestants finishing second through tenth will receive cash prizes that will be determined by the number of entries. Based on 150 players, prizes would be broken down by the following percentages: 2nd-30 percent ($450); 3rd-20 percent ($300); 4th-15 percent ($225); 5th-10 percent ($150); and 6th through 10th-5 percent ($75).

For more information, visit www.westernotb.com.