This Saturday, the NTRA hosts a free online handicapping contest allowing fans to follow along with the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship at Treasure Island Las Vegas.

The stakes aren't high, but bragging rights count for something.

The one-day “Play Along With the Pros” contest will offer a $1,000 prize pool presented by DRF Bets to the top five finishers, plus free 2012 NHC Tour memberships to the top 20 finishers.

There is a limit of one entry per person.

Saturday is the second and final day of the NHC. Contestants in the online contest must make faux $2 win and place wagers on eight designated mandatory races, the same ones chosen for mandatory play in the NHC tourney. For more information, visit ntra.com.

Prize Structure for “Play Along With the Pros” contest:

$1,000 pool

1st: $500
2nd:$200
3rd: $150
4th: $100
5th: $50

“’Play Along With the Pros’ is designed to expose the NHC to players who may not be familiar with the excitement of tournament play,” said Keith Chamblin, senior vice president of the NTRA. “It also gives fans the chance to see how they stack up with some of the outstanding handicappers battling for the $1 million grand prize at Treasure Island.”

--Edited NTRA Release with additional content by Dick Downey