Stars of the Esquire Network reality show "Horseplayers" will be part of a handicapping showdown Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) weekend that the customers of TwinSpires.com can join in.
The TwinSpires.com Horse Players' Derby Duel will pit "Team Rotondo" featuring Peter Rotondo Sr. and Lee Davis against "Team Champs" featuring National Handicapping Championship winners Michael Beychok and John Conte.
Each team will have up to $50,000 to wager on the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and Kentucky Derby cards on behalf of TwinSpires players. Customers of Churchill Downs Inc.'s advance-deposit wagering platform can choose the team they want to support by contributing as little as $10 into the pool. All winnings from the wagers placed by each team are returned to the players who have contributed to the pool.
The team who has the most winnings on behalf of the players who contributed to the pool will have $5,000 donated in their names to Thoroughbred Charities of America, the charitable arm of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.
"We are delighted to have been selected as the beneficiary of the TwinSpires.com Derby Duel," said Erin Crady, executive director of TCA. "Having recently received nearly 100 grant applications from Thoroughbred industry related charities, the Derby Duel contribution will certainly assist us as we provide grants to qualified applicants. We greatly appreciate the support of TwinSpires."
More information and official details regarding the TwinSpires.com Horse Players' Derby Duel can be found at www.twinspires.com.