The "Santa Anita Autumn Handicapping Challenge," featuring $100,000 in prize money, will be offered during the second weekend of the upcoming autumn meet Oct. 4-5, the track announced.
The 24-day Santa Anita Park stand, which begins Sept. 26, will be highlighted by the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships Oct. 31-Nov. 1.
The Handicapping Challenge is a live-money contest that features $30,000 in prize money to the top three contestants and up to five berths in the National Handicapping Contest, to be held Jan. 23-25 in Las Vegas. Additionally, four "Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge" berths will go to the top four finishers in the upcoming contest.
"Our goal is to offer participants top value for their wagering dollars, with 100% of the entry fees paid back to the players," said Nate Newby, Santa Anita vice president of marketing. "The prize pool is loaded with Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge spots, NHC seats, and cash prizes."
The contest requires 100 players to buy in.
Prizes and conditions for the Santa Anita Handicapping Challenge are as follows:
--$4,000 total buy-in: $3,000 bankroll, with $1,000 to the prize pool;
--100% of entry fees paid out as prizes;
--Players keep their entire live-money bankroll;
--Format: Win, place, show, exacta, and trifecta on Santa Anita races;
--Day one prize: VIP trip to Las Vegas;
--Top five finishers qualify for the 2015 NHC in Las Vegas;
--Top four finishers win full entry to the Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge;
--Fifth through eighth place finishers win $2,500 entry to Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge;
--Hosted lunch and drinks in Santa Anita's premium areas;
--Premier weekend of racing with six stakes races;
--Maximum two entries per person;
--Qualifying players earn NHC Tour points.
