If the Fourth of July wasn’t a “year-maker” for Dylan Donnelly, then it was at least a “summer-maker”.

Three NHC seats will be up for grabs on the first day of July (Saturday) when HorsePlayers hosts its latest free qualifier. If you are a 2023 NHC Tour member, it’s free to play. If you are not one, you can become one quickly and easily at NTRA.com in exchange for a $50 membership fee. 

Last week’s 26 features tourneys were predominantly Live-format affairs, including the first one of the week on Wednesday, a $5,000 Guaranteed cash tourney won by Peter Osella.

If other sports were like horse racing contests, then the NFL would conclude with the Super Challenge and the climax of baseball season would be the World Challenge. Well, there are now two more Challenges to add to the ever-growing list: the August 12 Saratoga Challenge (playable on-track or at NYRABets) and the July 22 Haskell Challenge (playable online only at either Xpressbet or 4NJBETS). 

No one had a better day on Wednesday than Scott Nelson—and it could also be argued that no one had a better week than he did.

If you’re a father—or know someone who is—then consider the upcoming weekend to be in your honor.

A few weeks ago, we joked that Evan Trommer figured to be extra dangerous on Belmont Stakes Day because the first two jewels of this year’s Triple Crown saw him win the Kentucky Derby Challenge, a Big Bucks game, a couple of Spa & Surf Showdown seats and also a bunch of NHC Tour points (for winning a qualifier after already being double-qualified).

Assuming the smoke finally clears, Saturday will be Belmont Stakes Day, and you can breathe easy knowing that there will be ample opportunities here to win big money or seats to lucrative future tourneys (when the air quality figures to play a less prominent role).

Many of you are aware that Lone Star Park will host its on-track Lone Star Million Betting Challenge on Memorial Day. Our Last Chance qualifier for that popular event comes your way on Saturday.

Who has been the star of the Triple Crown series so far? As far as we at HorseTourneys are concerned, it’s not Mage, National Treasure or any other horse. The correct choice is clearly Evan Trommer.