It’s not uncommon to see players win multiple tourneys on a given day. What was unusual last week was how many captured grand prizes on multiple days.

We’re raising the stakes on Saturday, Florida Derby Day. Instead of a $25,000 Guaranteed featured cash tourney, we’re upping the guarantee of this live-format event to $45,000—and tossing in a $10,000 Guaranteed Pick & Pray as well. 

That’s not all. For the first time, we’ll be hosting tourneys on the Dubai World Cup card from Meydan. And with the Players Championship (current purse up to $279,660 and counting) set for Friday and Saturday, April 2-3, it means that this weekend is your final one in which to qualify for the all-cash middle leg of the 2021 Tourney Triple. 

Does Live Chat among players belong on a site like HorseTourneys?

It’s a question that we’ve grappled with internally off and on for the better part of… well, only the last decade.

The case for allowing Live Chat is that it adds to the entertainment value of the product, creating a higher level of engagement and fostering an even greater sense of community among our player base.  Anyone who has played tournaments at on-site, brick-and-mortar locations has witnessed the kind of camaraderie that typically comes along with a major tournament event.  While online chat could never replicate that experience, it would at least bring some of it to online play.

It was some kind of Friday for Floridian Brett Wiener.

Not too long ago, if we had 14 featured tourneys during a weekend, that was a pretty solid Friday, Saturday and Sunday for us. This weekend we have 14—on Sunday, alone. Plus 10 on Friday and nine on Saturday. The total of 33 is the most we’ve ever had for a three-day weekend. 

Participating in Live Chat at HorseTourneys is a privilege.  This privilege is reserved for those that are able to comport themselves appropriately. 

Please note that Live Chat cannot be used for support requests.  Players must submit a Customer Support form if needing assistance. 

The following are most (but not all) of the kinds of conduct that will not be tolerated:

• Use of profane/vulgar language

Don’t curse, and don’t say vulgar or disgusting things.  “Damn” is OK.  If you think it’s going to be a problem otherwise, don’t say it.

• Ad Hominem/Personal Attacks

Don’t attack other players personally.

• Attacks on HorseTourneys/HorsePlayers Management or that of our partners

Don’t attack HorseTourneys/HorsePlayers management, whether as a whole or individual members.  Don’t attack our business partners like the NTRA, Xpressbet, Breeders’ Cup or our partner racetrack management.

• Inflammatory language regarding jockeys, trainers, owners, or others involved in racing itself

Constructive criticism is fine.  Stating that you wish a jockey would attract a lethal case of Covid and die is not. 

• Conspiracy Theories

Don’t espouse ridiculous conspiracy theories, especially as it relates to the operation of HorseTourneys/HorsePlayers.

• Incessant Posting

Don’t post incessantly, unless you truly have something constructive to say.  Don’t yap simply to see your own voice. 

• Touting/Advertising

Don’t tout services (such as selling picks, podcasts, etc.) and don’t shill or advertise for other services, particularly if in competition with HorseTourneys/HorsePlayers.

Chat activity may be monitored, both in real time and retroactively.  Moreover, players will have the ability to report unacceptable conduct via the Customer Support Form.

Any players discovered to have violated the Chat rules, depending on the severity, will either receive a warning, or lose the privilege to participate in Live Chat.  In some cases, HorseTourneys/HorsePlayers accounts may be revoked outright.

Please be respectful, and enjoy this feature.

The featured-tourney days last week seemed to take on one of two distinct patterns. Either there weren’t many longshots to be had (Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday) or there were so many (Friday, Sunday) that one bomb alone wouldn’t get you where you needed to be.

It’s another busy weekend at HorseTourneys and HorsePlayers as Gulfstream, Aqueduct and Santa Anita serve as the backdrop for a wide array of marquee games offering significant cash prizes and lots of seats to important tournaments held around the country (and in cyberspace). 

As always, weekends around here are considered to begin on Friday.

History repeated itself on Friday—and not just because Raymond Riley won the day’s featured cash tourney for a second consecutive week.

Religious handicappers should have an edge this weekend with the majority of our featured events taking place in Pick & Pray format. (New converts to the prayerful life are always welcome at our house of worship.) By far, the most popular service will take place on Saturday, when there will be five chosen ones in the NHC qualifier at HorsePlayers. Even better, no collection basket will be circulated. That’s one reason the pews will be crowded that day. Of course, our weekend featured-tourney offerings are plentiful enough to accommodate any schedule. They begin on Friday. So without any further ado, let us pray.