Kentucky Downs Staging Pair Of Online Handicapping Tournaments During 2020 Meet

America's most unique racetrack is staging a one-of-a-kind online handicapping tournament twosome during the RUNHAPPY Meet at Kentucky Downs.

The Kentucky Downs Turf Handicapping Challenge presented by Daily Racing Form, America's only tournament using exclusively grass racing, will award multiple seats at the 2021 National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) and the 2020 Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) during stand-alone tournaments on Sunday Sept. 13 and Wednesday Sept. 16. The twist is that the player with the highest aggregate two-day total will be crowned the National Turf Handicapping Champion, receiving additional prize money and a BCBC spot, worth $10,000.

The separate online tournaments are live-money events, meaning that entrants use a real bankroll and get to keep whatever they might earn. The competition will be based on Kentucky Downs' all-grass cards, with the Sept. 13 contest also offering the option to play turf races from New Jersey's Monmouth Park. Betting in the tournaments will be conducted through Xpressbet, TVG and 4NJBets online-wagering platforms.

The Sept. 13 tournament has a $1,000 buy-in, with $500 comprising the player's bankroll and the other $500 going to the prize pool. The buy-in is $600 for the Sept. 16 tournament, with $300 going to the prize pool and $300 for the contestant's bankroll. Players must compete in both tournaments to be eligible to earn the distinction of being National Turf Handicapping Champion.

Both contests require entrants to bet a minimum of $50 (win, place, show and/or exacta) on a minimum of 10 races on Sept. 13 and six on Sept. 16. Complete rules will be available soon on kentuckydowns.com. Monmouth Park marketing director Brian Skirka is the tournament director. Players must pre-register with Skirka by emailing bskirka@monmouthpark.com or by calling 732-571-6595.

“We were looking at an online tournament even before we had to make the tough decision to go spectatorless at our live meet because of the COVID surge,” said Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs' senior vice president and general manager. “Our betting product has become so popular across the country that we wanted to let as many people as possible participate, and we wanted to come up with prizes to make it worth their investment in time and money.

“Horseplayers' enthusiasm for our American-best large fields and low takeout has led to a 244-percent increase in wagering on Kentucky Downs since 2015. This is one way of showing our appreciation. We are the nation's turf-racing capital and we want to showcase that by having a National Turf Handicapping Champion.”

Regular tournament player Adam Aiken, who coincidentally is moving from Springfield, Mass., to Nashville in early September, makes a point to bet Kentucky Downs' elite meet and was thrilled to hear about the track's tournaments. He applauds the idea of a two-day overall champion.

“That's an interesting format, kind of a unique and different format that isn't around anywhere else,” Aiken said, adding with a laugh, “It obviously gets you to want to play the second one. You have three chances in a way” to win the big prizes.

Aiken said he'll be firing away on his mobile device to try to be anointed Turf Champion.

“I'll be playing wherever I am,” he said. “I was in a tournament where I finished fourth and 13th and I was at a wedding…. I love turf racing. I love turf sprints. I always play Kentucky Downs. The big fields and low takeout are just the ticket for serious handicappers.”

Based on 100 entries in the Sept. 13 tournament, the total prize pool will be $50,000, including four NHC prize packs (including flight reimbursement up to $400 and hotel) and one BCBC berth. The top five finishers will split $5,000, with $2,500 to the winner and an estimated $2,956 toward the cash awarded to the National Turf Champ. The top 10 finishers also receive a free spot in the Sept. 16 contest.

Prize money paid to the Turf Champ will increase along with the number of entries. At 150 entries, five NHC prize packs and two BCBC berths will be awarded.

Based on 80 entries in the Sept. 16 contest, the total prize pool will be $24,000, with the top three finishers earning an NHC prize pack and splitting $3,000, including $1,500 to the winner, with remaining cash going to the champ. Additional seats could be awarded based on final participation.

“I'm honored that Ted reached out to me to assist with putting on this unique tournament,” Skirka said. “Kentucky Downs is known for some of the biggest fields and best turf racing around, and I'm excited to help make this first-of-its-kind contest a success. From my experience, I think players will really gravitate to a tournament featuring such wide-open, competitive and high-class racing.”

Players must be an NHC Tour member prior to the start of the contest to be eligible for NHC seats.

Horsetourneys.com will stage online feeder tournaments, providing low-priced ways to win spots into both contests.

The post Kentucky Downs Staging Pair Of Online Handicapping Tournaments During 2020 Meet appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Del Mar Handicap Exacta Helps Espino Win Pacific Classic Betting Challenge

Sean Espino from Solana Beach, Calif., took a swing Saturday in Del Mar's Pacific Classic Betting Challenge. He hit it out of the park.

In the day's 7th Race, the regular tournament player put 4-1 shot Red King on top of odds-on favorite United in the Del Mar Handicap and played the one-way exacta for $1,000.  When it hit, he collected $12,200.

That was enough to make him the winner of the “live money” Challenge that required players to put up $4,000 with $3,000 of it wagered throughout the afternoon and the other $1,000 placed in the prize pool.

So besides his take home tally of $12,070 at the end of the day, Espino also collected $50,000 for proving best in the 150-player contest that was conducted through TVG.com. It was the first time the Challenge was held on-line.

Second in the event was Joe Regan of Marlborough, Mass., with $11,545 in winnings and an additional $20,000 from the prize pool. Third was Seth Morris of Rockville Center, N.Y., with $10,667 in bets cashed and an extra $5,000 from the pool.

Further, the top five finishers in Saturday's Challenge won free admission into the Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge (a $10,000 value to each), which offers $1-million in cash prizes.

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Aug. 22 Pacific Classic Betting Challenge Shifting To Online Only At TVG.com

Del Mar near San Diego, Calif., will offer the “Pacific Classic Betting Challenge” on Saturday, August 22, TVG Pacific Classic Day at the seaside oval when five graded stakes will be presented on a stellar 11-race card.

The “live money” Challenge is offered online for the first time through TVG.com only and is expected to draw as many as 200 players.

Those interested in competing can sign up at the Handicapping Contest link at DMTC.com/PCBC.  Registration opens this Thursday, August 13, at 9 a.m. (Pacific).

Here are the rules and facts around the Challenge:

  • Online live money Challenge at TVG.com only.
  • $4,000 to enter with $3,000 to bankroll and $1,000 to prizes. 100% payout of prizes.
  • Del Mar live races only with loaded card including 5 graded stakes races; 11 total races.
  • Prizes include Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge and National Horseplayer Championship entries.
  • Win, place, show, exacta, trifecta and double wagering.
  • Wager at least $500 on 4 races and at least $3,000 for the Challenge.
  • Up to two entries per player.
  • Feeders on HorseTourneys.com.

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