The Maryland Jockey Club will host the fall session of its bi-annual Champions Handicapping Tournament Saturday, Aug. 19 in the second-floor clubhouse sports bar at Laurel Park.
Berths to the NTRA National Horseplayers Championship (NHC), Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) and Pegasus World Cup Betting Championship (PWCBC) are on the line, as well as more than $55,000 in guaranteed prize money (based on 125 entries) among the top 10 finishers.
A maximum of two entries per person will be accepted at a cost of $500 each ($300 entry fee, $200 bankroll), payable by cash, credit card, money order or cashier's check. Players must be at least 21 to participate. The tournament will be limited to 300 entries.
The tournament winner will earn a minimum of $11,375 and have their choice of one of two berths to the 2024 NHC or a berth in the 2023 BCBC or 2024 PWCBC. The second-place finisher will get a minimum of $6,500 and the choice of one of the remaining three berths.
A minimum of $3,250 and the choice of the final two berths will go to the third-place finisher, and the fourth-place finisher will receive a minimum of $1,625 and the remaining berth. Players that finish fifth through 10th will earn a minimum of $1,625.
To be eligible for NHC seats, players must be an NHC tour member prior to the start of the Champions Tournament. If a player is ineligible, the NHC berth will be awarded to the entrant with the next highest tournament bankroll.
Tracks available for the tournament are Laurel Park, Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park, Saratoga Race Course and Woodbine. From their $200 bankroll, players must make a minimum of 10 wagers at $20 per wager. Only win, place and show wagers will be considered valid.
The deadline for mail-in registration is Wednesday, Aug. 16. Registration can be made by phone or in person until noon Friday, Aug. 18. If entries are still available, players may register at the door starting at 10 a.m. Aug. 19 on a first-come, first-served basis.
For further information visit www.laurelpark.com/champions-handicapping-tournament/ or contact Diana Harbaugh at 443-547-5953 or Diana.Harbaugh@marylandracing.com.
Anthony Laurino of Raleigh, N.C. won the MJC's spring Champions Tournament March 26 with a final bankroll of $3,502 to top a field of 146 players. John Scheinman of Baltimore finished first in last year's fall Champions Tournament with a $1,691.10 bankroll to lead 131 entrants.
The 2024 NHC will take place March 15-17 in Las Vegas. The BCBC is Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita, and the PWCBC will be held in January 2024 at Gulfstream Park, home of the $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1), $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) and $1 million Florida Derby (G1).
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