In his lastest column, DRF’s Peter Fornatale examines the Pick & Pray format (championed here at HorseTourneys) and its growing appeal and popularity.
Click Here For Peter Fornatale’s Column
The BIG One is Back – in Baltimore! Oct 11-12 at Laurel Park, $200,000+ Estimated Purse, BCBC, NHC, HPWS Seats
Estimated Purse of $200,000 to $225,000*
PLUS
Top Five (5) Win $10,000 Entry to Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (November, 2014)
Top Five (5) Win Full Package to Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) (January, 2015)
Places 6th through 15th win $1,000 Entry to Horse Player World Series (March, 2015)
*Based on 50 entries. Purse and number of NHC packages awarded to be adjusted based on final total number of entries and depending on volume through pre-qualifying events at HorseTourneys.com. Total purse may exceed $225,000 should all pre-qualifying contests sell-out at full qualifying parameters and additional buy-in entries are purchased.
WHAT
“The BIG One” at Laurel Park, an on-track handicapping contest with qualifying packages availabile exclively through HorseTourneys.com.
WHEN
October 11-12, 2014. Two-day contest. Registration on Friday, October 10 and morning of Saturday, October 11.
WHERE
Laurel Park in Laurel, MD (outside Baltimore)
PRIZES
Estimated purse of $200,000 to $225,000 based on 50 fully sold entries (purse contributions will vary according to participation levels in qualifying events). Purse and purse distribution adjusted based on total number of entries at the discretion of tournament officials. Based on estimated purse of $200,000, expected prize levels:
Estimated prize distribution based on $200,000 purse. Note that these are DIRECTIONAL payouts only–final prizes and prize distribution to be determined by tournament officials once final purse number is determined.
Grand Prize: $80,000 + $10,000 BCBC Entry AND NHC Package
2nd Place: $40,000 + $10,000 BCBC Entry AND NHC Package
3rd Place: $20,000 + $10,000 BCBC Entry AND NHC Package
4th Place: $15,000 + $10,000 BCBC Entry AND NHC Package
5th Place: $10,000 +$10,000 BCBC Entry AND NHC Package
6th Place: $9,000 + HPWS Entry ($1,000)
7th Place: $8,000 + HPWS Entry ($1,000)
8th Place: $7,000 + HPWS Entry ($1,000)
9th Place: $6,000 + HPWS Entry ($1,000)
10th Place: $5,000 + HPWS Entry ($1,000)
11th thru 15th Place: HPWS Entry ($1,000)
BCBC Entry: $10,000 full entry into the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (Bankroll + Entry Fee) (one BCBC entry per 10 entries participating)
NHC Package: Seat to 2015 Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (held in January, 2015) PLUS $500 travel reimbursement and complimentary 4-night hotel stay at NHC venue. NHC Packages awarded will be adjusted based on the total number of entries participating (one NHC package awarded per 10 entries participating).
HORSETOURNEYS.COM PACKAGES
Qualifying packages to “The BIG One” at Laurel Park available through HorseTourneys.com will be all-inclusive, including the seat to “The BIG One” at Laurel Park and purse contribution; $500 in travel reimbursement provided upon registration; complimentary 3-night hotel stay near Baltimore/Laurel area at a selected hotel venue and pro-rated NHC seat and NHC hotel/travel.
Total value of package = $7,750 USD
CONTEST HOSPITALITY
Buffet and Open Bar throughout the duration of the contest. Cockatil/Dinner reception on Friday, Oct. 10 at selected venue, including dinner and Open Bar.
MAXIMUM ENTRIES
There will be a maximum of 57 entries allowed in “The BIG One” at Laurel Park. 50 of those entries will be made available exclusively for qualification at http://www.HorseTourneys.com. Five (5) entries will be made available on a buy-in lottery basis for $8,500 each. A total of (2) spots will be allocated to Laurel Park for pre-event on-site qualifiers. A player may play only one entry per person in “The BIG One”.
FORMAT
Mythical contest format based on the expected conditions at the NHC Finals. $2 Win/Place wagers made on one horse per race. 30 total races (15 each day). 8 of the 15 races each day will be mandatory plays on races determined by tournament officials. The remaining 7 plays each day will be optional plays on racetracks selected by tournment officials. Payout caps of $42 to Win (20-1), $22 to Place (10-1).
HOW TO QUALIFY
Qualifying contests to “The BIG One” at Laurel Park will begin in February, 2014, and proceed through the end of September. Go to http://www.HorseTourneys.com to check the upcoming schedule of qualifiers. Entry fees for the majority of qualifiying contests at HorseTourneys.com will carry entry fees of $225, awarding one “The BIG One” package per 45 entries participating. Consolation site credit prizes will be offered in most qualifiers.
BUY-IN ENTRIES
A minimum of five (5) buy-in entries will be made available to “The BIG One” at $8,500 each. If there are more buy-in requests than there are buy-in entries available, first preference will be given to those players that have participated in the most qualifiers to “The BIG One,” if applicable, in the order of number of entries played in qualifying events at HorseTourneys. Any remaining requests will be settled on a lottery basis. A $500 deposit will be required, refundable to those not winning a lottery selection and non-refundable to those winning lottery selection, if applicable. The number of buy-in entries and costs of those entries may be adjusted by tournament officials based on number of entries qualified to the event, including elimination of the buy-in option. To make arrangements to secure a buy-in entry, please email McKay Smith at support@horsetourneys.com for instructions.
QUESTIONS
Questions should be directed to McKay Smith, Operator/Tournament Director at HorseTourneys.com. Email: support@horsetourneys.com
Wynn $200,000 GUARANTEED Handicapping Challenge Qualifiers Now Underway
Qualifiers Now Underway
WYNN $200,000 GUARANTEED Handicapping Challenge
August 1-2, 2014
Wynn Las Vegas
Qualifiers are now underway to the $200,000 GUARANTEED Wynn Handicapping Challenge, to be held Friday and Saturday, August 1-2 at Wynn Las Vegas.
The Wynn’s handicapping contest is one of the more popular major events on the NHC Tour. With an entry fee of $2,000 and with entries typically exceeding 150+, the top finisher at the Wynn routinely walks away with well in excess of $100,000.
The Wynn contest is held over two days and covers only Saratoga and Del Mar as eligible contest tracks. It’s perfect for those players that prefer a mythical format ($2 Win/Place is the standard, with a double bet allowed each day) and those that may prefer contests with a smaller number of eligible races.
Probably the best part about playing in the Wynn is the opportunity to stay at the hotel while playing in the contest. The Wynn is widely considered one of the finest hotels in Las Vegas, with terrific room accommodations, award winning restaurants, shows (including Cirque du Soleil’s Le Reve), retail shops and of course, a plethora of gaming opportunities.
The Wynn Handicapping Challenge is run by John Avello, one of the most well-known and well-respected race/sportsbook operators in Las Vegas.
Don’t miss your chance to qualify to one of the best Las Vegas handicapping experiences.
If you have questions about the Wynn’s event, we welcome you to email us at support@horsetourneys.com.
Njhorseplayer: Those Voices Inside My Head
In his latest blog post, Bill Holobowski provides some instructive lessons after his win in a recent HorseTourneys bankroll builder event.
Read Njhorseplayer’s recent blog post here
DRF’s Fornatale: Last year’s tournament season a big success, now on to 2014
In his latest blog post, Daily Racing Form’s Peter Fornatale provides some wrap-up to the 2013 handicapping contest season and provides a look forward to 2014.
Read Peter Fornatale’s Latest Blog Post Here
HPWS “Blowout” Contest Scheduled for Sunday, March 16 – Daily Direct Feeders
The Horse Player World Series (HPWS) is fast approaching, so we’ve scheduled a major HPWS qualifier on Sunday, March 16, that stands to award a major number of HPWS entries to players at HorseTourneys.
The HPWS “Blowout” contest on Sunday, March 16 will award one $1,000 entry to the HPWS per FIVE (5) players participating. That’s a 20 percent chance to earn an entry to the HPWS two weeks prior to the event, which will be held March 27-29, 2014, at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Entries fees to the HPWS Blowout event will be $235 with up to three (3) entries allowed per player. Direct Feeder events to this contest will be held Wednesday through Sundays beginning Feb. 5 and running through the event on March 16.
The Direct Feeder events will carry entry fees of $52 and will award one $235 entry to the HPWS Blowout per FIVE (5) entries participating. So again, players will have a 20 percent chance to earn a $235 entry into the HPWS Blowout event per Feeder event.
If you have any questions on this contest or the feeders, please contact us at support@horsetourneys.com.
2015 NHC Qualifiers Kick Off on Sunday, Feb. 16 – Important Info on 2015 Qualifiers
Qualifiers to the 2015 Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship will return here at HorseTourneys on Sunday, Feb. 16, with the first main NHC Qualifier run that day.
Leading up to the first main qualifier, NEW this year, we will be adding two daily DIRECT feeders into each of our main NHC Qualifiers, whereby players have the chance to earn the full entry fee into the main NHC Qualifiers for a fraction of the full cost.
Entry fees for MAIN NHC qualifiers are set at $225 for 2014, with one full NHC package awarded per 45 entries. While alternative prices and ratios may be used periodically at times throughout the year, this is the main fee and ratio that will be utilized in most NHC Qualifiers.
Daily DIRECT Feeders will be held into main NHC Qualifiers. These Feeders will automatically award the entry into the designated NHC Qualifier, as opposed to awarding site credit for use in future contests. Note that site credit is still available in “Bankroll Builder” events daily as well.
TWO OPTIONS FOR DAILY DIRECT FEEDERS:
1. $25 to win $225 entry directly into main NHC Qualifier, 1 entry per 10 entries participating
2. $84 to win $225 entry directly into main NHC Qualifier, 1 entry per 3 entries participating
Packages won through main NHC Qualifier events at HorseTourneys will include:
1. Seat to NHC ($7,250 seat cost)
2. 4-nights hotel at NHC venue
3. $500 Travel Reimbursement
NHC Tour / Tour Points:
Remember, one of the advantages of focusing at HorseTourneys for your NHC Qualifying pursuits is the lower ratio of players per NHC package awarded. This means that you will be playing against fewer players than through other venues, which results in increased chances to earn NHC Tour points throughout the year. Finishing in the top 150 in Tour points will earn you entry into the NHC should you not advance through a qualifier online or on-track.
Schedule:
HorseTourneys posts its NHC Schedule on a quarterly basis. The events through April include:
– Sunday, February 16 – LIVE Format
– Sunday, March 2 – PICK & PRAY Format
– Saturday, March 15 – ALL-OPTIONAL Format
– Sunday, April 6 – LIVE Format
– Saturday, April 19 – PICK & PRAY Format
More time between NHC Qualifiers = more chances to earn entries through lower-cost feeder events. For the most up-to-date schedule, always visit the Schedule Page.
Formats:
We will rotate through the LIVE, PICK & PRAY and ALL-OPTIONAL formats throughout the year in main NHC Qualifiers, with the ALL-OPTIONAL format used approximately one per every four NHC Qualifiers. At this time, it is planned that ALL direct feeders into main NHC Qualifiers will run under the PICK & PRAY format. The rotation of formats in main NHC Qualifiers and direct feeders is subject to change.
Please let us know if you have any questions on the above information. Also, a reminder that NHC Tour membership fees must be renewed for 2014 BEFORE play in any main NHC Qualifiers. To sign up for the NHC Tour,click here.
We look forward to serving you throughout the upcoming qualifying year.
HorseTourneys Wins Second Consecutive “Conny” Award for Best Online Tournament Website; “The BIG One” Also Named Best New Tournament
In the January edition of American Turf Monthly, Noel Michaels gave HorseTourneys top honors in his annual “Conny Awards,” meant to recognize the best of everything related to handicapping contests.
This is the second year in a row that Michaels has named HorseTourneys the top online tournament website. In addition to that award, “The BIG One” was named the top new tournament.
See the excerpts from the article below.
Common Questions – Categories in Upcoming Contests Section
As the total number of contests available at HorseTourneys continues to expand, it’s important to note that contests may be filtered in the “Upcoming Contests” section by category. You may display only the contests under a certain category by clicking on that category in the “Upcoming Contests” header.
Various categories are included, including Feeders, Pick & Pray format, certain major events (such as the NHC and HPWS), Head-to-Head and others.
Note that the default “All” category displays all upcoming contests with the exception of Head-to-Head events. Head-to-Head events are only displayed under the Head-to-Head category.
Click the screenshot below to see where the categories are highlighted.
Best of Luck to the 78 HorseTourneys Qualifiers at the NHC
Everyone at HorseTourneys wishes the very best of luck to the 70+ players competing at this coming weekend’s Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship that qualified here at HorseTourneys.
Players earning two entries from HorseTourneys are listed twice
| Samuel | Alipio | |
| Ray | Arsenault | |
| Gary | Bain | |
| Jerry | Barash | |
| Benjamin | Beychok | |
| Francis | Boustany | |
| Charles | Browning | |
| David | Conover | |
| Kevin | Cox | |
| Nicole | Cox | |
| Stephen | Curtin | |
| Larry | David | |
| Dennis | Dougherty | |
| John | Doyle | |
| John | Doyle | |
| Kevin | Engelhard | |
| Robert | Engelhard | |
| Rich | Feldman | |
| Ryan | Flanders | |
| Ryan | Flanders | |
| Dan | Flanigan | |
| Frank | Foss | |
| Nathaniel | Gines | |
| Richard | Goodall | |
| Chris | Goodall | |
| Jim | Goodman | |
| Jim | Goodman | |
| Samuel | Guillory | |
| Les | Harris | |
| Jason | Ige | |
| Les | Instone | |
| Jeannie | King | |
| Jeannie | King | |
| Thomas | Kirchhoff | |
| Dennis | Klein | |
| Kenneth | Klein | |
| Greg | Knepper | |
| Cheryl | Knepper | |
| Daniel | Kovalesky | |
| Ed | Lawless | |
| Rick | Leoni | |
| Chris | Littlemore | |
| Marsha | Mayo | |
| Jerry | McClenin | |
| Noel | Michaels | |
| James | Michelson, | Jr. |
| James | Michelson, | Sr. |
| H. Mitchell | Schuman | |
| Dane | Moore | |
| John | Nichols | |
| Dave | Nichols | |
| Alan | Noring | |
| John | Oneil | |
| Edward | Ramsey | |
| Robert | Reidy | |
| Matthew | Rentze | |
| Matthew | Rentze | |
| Mark | Richards | |
| Sam | Rivera | |
| William | Roth | |
| Paul | Scott | |
| Paul | Scott | |
| Dan | Shugar | |
| Christopher | Skotz | |
| David | Snyder | |
| David | Snyder | |
| Trey | Stiles | |
| Brent | Sumja | |
| Mike | Sylvester | |
| Edmund | Teicht | |
| John | Ukleja | |
| Michael | Weiss | |
| Howard | Welsh | |
| Bill | Wilbur | |
| Bill | Wilbur | |
| Joel | Winicki | |
| Albert | Wong | |
| Kenneth | Zelin |
