I loved playing horse racing contests for years. I have travelled all over and qualified in some of the biggest and best events. – For the contest scene, I have won, come close, and missed by a mile. When my son went to college, the contest scene has dwindled a bit for this handicapper. It has become a distant memory and someday I hope to get back in the game. That is, if they’re still around.

“Brick and Mortar” contests are the ones held at the track itself. Players had to travel, drive, and make flight plans. Factor in the cost of the accommodations, travel, having dinners out, and a few drinks with fellow players congratulating and making excuses for bad beats. – It becomes an expensive weekend. They have all but went the way of the dinosaur.

Some of the best contests happened at Keeneland, Churchill, Beulah Park, and Indiana Grand. – These are just to name a few of my favorites, and they were in driving distance from my front door. – They offered food, free DRF’s, and drawings for giveaways. As a player, you couldn’t ask for more. The top three qualified for the NTRA Contest to be held in Vegas. I made it on the list a few times to do battle with the best of the best. – The last contest I played in was at Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky. $25 per entry / three max. It was held on the Del Mar card, and I came in 2nd by 20 cents. It was a great time, and I loved seeing the players. The money won was great to have in the pocket.

Where we come up short. We have given up on trying to rejuvenate the sport and showcase the players who keep the lights on. – Managers who put on the best contests have all but given up and only have the mega contests where it costs around $3,000 per entry. Too rich for my blood, and I had faded into the background. – Another contest was the BCBC Contest, where players did battle in Thoroughbred racing’s biggest live-money handicapping tournament, the BCBC, annually draws the top horseplayers from around North America and will crown the winner with the highest accumulated bankroll at the end of the two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

The 2024 BCBC total cash prize pool was expected to be $1.25 million, with a $2,500 buy-in and $7,500 betting bankroll ($10,000 total) required of each player. All buy-in monies are applied to the prize pool. Players can bet into the Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, and Daily Double pools with their $7,500 bankroll over the two days (22 races) and keep all monies earned from their betting. – Now, that’s a shot at the title and not a seat by the band!

I miss travelling to see friends and talk horses for hours. – I liked the $25 contests at Keeneland where it was held on Turfway Park. Bet 2 to win and place with a 20-1 cap, and a buffet that was second to none. Prizes donated by the DRF, and you had a shot at winning $599 for top prize and the top ten paid came back for the “Tournament of Champions” held after Breeders’ Cup. I loved going with my Dad, and we had a blast.

I sure miss the small and some of the biggest contests. – I think my worst beats came at Keeneland. It was $3,000 to play and the top three were sent to Vegas to the NTRA. – I played four years. I came in fourth, four years running, getting beat by 20 cents and 40 cents. Oh, well. A bad beat allows you to have a great story. – See you in the winner’s circle.