Horse Racing Contests
Even in a sport like horse racing where selecting and betting are such an integral part of the fun, organized contests bring additional dimensions to the game. In our research to compile a list of contests, Case the Race discovered several different types of contests and tournaments. Who would have guessed that there were so many variations? There are free contests, fee-based contests, online contests, contests at the track, contests where participants accumulate points or money, contests where participants pick the winner of a race, or several winners. There are thoroughbred and harness racing contests. There are contests on a number of different individual tracks, and contests that cover a variety of tracks. There are tournaments with prizes. There are tournaments to qualify for other tournaments.
Anyone who likes horse racing contests is bound to find the perfect fit.
If you have not already started playing our current Running Track Contest, register now. You could win two tickets to the Breeders’ Cup.
Although by no means comprehensive, here is a list of contests that are underway or are forthcoming. Details for each are listed below the table.
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Cumulative Contests - Online
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Contest Name
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Prize
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Two tickets to the Breeders' Cup
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1st prize is $2000 and entry into the NHHC at Meadowlands.
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Vacation for 2 in Las Vegas including air fare, hotel, show tickets and $500 to play.
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Win entry to the 2010 Horseplayer World Series in Las Vegas, including hotel accommodations and $500 for airfare .
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There are no prizes that are guaranteed in advance.
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Single Race or Single Race Day Contests - Online
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Contest Name
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Prize
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$2,500 Cash
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1st Prize: Nintendo Wii entertainment system; 2nd Prize: 8GB iPod touch; 3rd prize: $100 Account
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1st Prize $100
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$100 in free play. The free play becomes your cash that you can cash out, after you bet the money 8x over.
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Tournaments - Online
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Contest Name
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Prize
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Varies according to the tournament.
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Single Race or Single Race Day Contests - In Person
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Contest Name
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Prize
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$1,000
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Tournaments - In Person
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Contest Name
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Prize
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Emerald Downs Ultimate Qualifying Tournament
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1st Prize: $20,000 cash or 50% of the cash prize pool and all expenses paid trip to play in the Daily Racing Form/NTRA
National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas.
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$10,000
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$10,000
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$12,000
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$20,000
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$6,000 in cash prizes and 3 berths in the NHC in Las Vegas.
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1st prize: $1,400 & entry into the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas.
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2010 NTRA/DRF National Handicapping Contest Qualifier
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2 spots to the 2009 NTRA/DRF National Handicapping Contest + Cash Prizes
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Top 3 finishers gain entry to the NTRA/Daily Racing Form National Handicapping Championship. Cash prizes for the first 20 finishers.
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Cumulative Contests - Online
Contest Name: Running Track Contest
Track: Varies
Prize: Two tickets to the Breeders' Cup
Start: Already started
Finish: 9/9/09
Requirements: Register
Notes: Each week of leading in either points or profits gets you another chance in the final drawing. Overall leaders are also awarded additional entries into the contest.
Contest Name: Meadowlands Survival Challenge
Track: Meadowlands
Prize: 1st prize is $2000 and entry into the NHHC at Meadowlands.
Start: 5/30/2009
Finish: 8/22/2009
Requirements: Provide your name, address, telephone number, and email address.
Notes: Points are awarded based on the Tote returns. Enter selections via www.survival-challenge.com. You have to pick one horse in three selected races. Points are awarded based on the Tote returns.
Contest Name: Pick 5 Favorites
Track: Varies
Prize: Vacation for 2 in Las Vegas including air fare, hotel, show tickets and $500 to play.
Start: Already started
Finish: Inquire with the contest host
Requirements: Inquire with the contest host
Notes: Win chances in the drawing. Pick any 5 fantasy wagers from a grid. If you win all 5 of your fantasy wagers, you are automatically entered in our drawing for a dream vacation for two in Las Vegas.
Contest Name: Public Handicapper Challenge
Track: Varies
Prize: Win entry to the 2010 Horseplayer World Series in Las Vegas, including hotel accommodations and $500 for airfare .
Start: 5/1/2009
Finish: 11/7/2009
Requirements: 21 years of age or older
Notes: Highest profit wins. Play at least 60 races between May 1, 2009 and November 7, 2009, including all nine Breeders' Cup races on November 7 at the official Breeders' Cup World Championships.
Contest Name: Del Mar's Play for Fun Contest
Track: Hollywood Park (current off-season track)
Prize: There are no prizes that are guaranteed in advance.
Start: Already started
Finish: Shortly before Del Mar Racetrack opens.
Requirements: Set up a Del Mar Online Profile at http://www.dmtc.com/mydelmar/
Notes: Off-season Del Mar hosts a "play for fun" contest with no promised prizes. There's no cost to play. 1st and 2nd place winners earn slots in the National Handicapping Championship. Weekly prizes for the top ten players and end-of-season prizes for the top 100.
Single Race or Single Race Day Contests – Online
Contest Name: Belmont Stakes Contest 2009
Track: Belmont
Prize: $2,500 Cash
Start: 5/12/09
Finish: 6/1/09
Requirements: Register to play
Notes: You must select three horses to finish in the exact order. You must be an Active JazzSports.com or ABCIslands.com account holder to be eligible as a DPT customer and receive the higher prizes.
Contest Name: Triple Crown - Belmont
Track: Belmont
Prize: 1st Prize: Nintendo Wii entertainment system; 2nd Prize: 8GB iPod touch; 3rd Prize: $100 Account
Start: 6/3/09
Finish: 6/6/09
Requirements: Must register to get information and play. Registration is free.
Notes: Sub-contest as part of Triple Crown Contest. Register at sportsbetting.com. When the field is set, make your picks.
Contest Name: Belmont Day Contest
Track: Belmont
Prize: 1st Prize $100
Start:
Finish: 6/6/09
Requirements: Inquire with the contest host
Notes: Top six contestants win cash prizes.This contest will be a LIVE contest with payoffs based on a $2 win and place wager on each selection, with the exception of the Belmont Stakes, where the payoff will be based on a $4 win and place wager.
Contest Name: 5Dimes Contest
Track: Belmont
Prize: $100 in free play. The free play becomes your cash that you can cash out, after you bet the money 8x over.
Start: 6/6/09
Finish: 6/3/09 - up to start of race.
Requirements: 5Dimes account number and that you are a Fantasy Bet Zone Forum Member
Notes: Belmont Stakes contest. There is also a prize for the overall Triple Crown race. To play, look for a thread on the Fantasy Bet Zone forum. The forum is where the players will post their entries. It is very easy to make an entry and instructions will be provided in the thread on the forum when it is posted. There is no cost to enter this contest, either by Fantasy Bet Zone or 5dimes. It is completely free, but offers the chance to win real prizes.
Tournaments - Online
Contest Name: Weekly Tournaments
Track: Varies
Prize: Varies according to the tournament.
Start: 5/30/09
Finish: 5/30/09
Requirements: Create an account and make a donation. (Suggested donation is $80.)
Notes: Racing Retirement Foundation introduces the first ever online handicapping tournaments with cash prizes. Users select 10 hypothetical Win wagers at selected tracks. At the end of the tournament, approximately the top 10% of contestants will receive a cash prize based on their results. Entry spots fill quickly.
Single Race or Single Race Day Contests - In Person
Contest Name: FREE Pick 4 Handicapping Contest
Track: Calder
Prize: $1,000
Start: 6/5/09
Finish: 6/5/09
Requirements:
Notes: Contest at the track. Get your entry at the program stands and Twin Spires Club office!
Although we attempted to be as accurate as possible, we cannot guarantee any of the details regarding contests listed on other sites. To insure that you have the most accurate, up-to-date information, please contact the contest hosts directly. This list is intended for informational purposes only.
Tournaments - In Person
Contest Name: Emerald Downs Ultimate Qualifying Tournament
Track: Emerald Downs
Prize: 1st Prize: $20,000 cash or 50% of the cash prize pool and all expenses paid trip to play in the Daily Racing Form/NTRA
National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas.
Start: 7/26/09
Finish: 7/26/09
Requirements: 21 years old and older. $125 Entry Fee.
Notes:
Contest Name: Cochrane's Ducks on the Roof
Track: Northland Park
Prize: $10,000
Start:
Finish: 6/14/09
Requirements: Participant must provide $100 for opening wagering balance.
Notes: It’s a winner-take-all tournament: $10,000 prize pool to the winner. The winner is the handicapper with the most money on his/her wagering card at the end of the 10 selected races.
Contest Name: Fort McMurray's Longshots
Track: Northland Park
Prize: $10,000
Start:
Finish: 6/21/09
Requirements: Participant must provide $100 for opening wagering balance.
Notes:
Contest Name: Schanks south-side Calgary
Track: Northland Park
Prize: $12,000
Start:
Finish: 7/5/09
Requirements: Registration fees. Participant must provide $100 for opening wagering balance.
Notes: Includes food and door prizes.
Contest Name: Edmonton's Northlands Park
Track: Northland Park
Prize: $20,000
Start:
Finish: 7/11/09
Requirements: Registration fees. Participant must provide $100 for opening wagering balance.
Notes: Includes food and door prizes.
Contest Name: King of Hollywood Handicapping Contest
Track: Hollywood Park
Prize: $6,000 in cash prizes and 3 berths in the NHC in Las Vegas.
Start: 6/27/09
Finish: 6/28/09
Requirements: $2,000 is the buy-in in this real money, two day tournament
Notes: The top three contestants with the highest cumulative point total at the end of the contest will represent Hollywood Park in the National Championship and compete for cash prizes worth an estimated $1,000,000. For more details, call George 310-419-1544.
Contest Name: Who's the Champ?
Track: Churchill Downs
Prize: 1st Prize: $1,400 & entry into the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas.
Start: 6/4/09
Finish: 6/28/09
Requirements: 21 years of age or older, register, $30 entry fee.
Notes: Using an imaginary bankroll, contestants compete in weekly qualifying contests for the chance to compete in the finals.
Contest Name: 2010 NTRA/DRF National Handicapping Contest Qualifier
Track: Horsemen's Park
Prize: 2 spots to the 2009 NTRA/DRF National Handicapping Contest + Cash Prizes
Start: 5/30/09
Finish: 5/31/09
Requirements: 21 years old and older. $250 Entry Fee.
Notes: The contestants will bet a mythical $2 to Win & Place on each of their selections. Prize money will be awarded for the contestants that have accumulated the highest earnings/points each day.
