TVG announced Oct. 25 that it has launched TVGfree.net, an innovative educational Web site designed to cultivate new horseracing fans and give them a chance to compete for free. Free for all users, the site will teach handicapping techniques and enable users to learn the "Sport of Kings" in real time with live races.
"One of the major challenges in marketing horseracing to new fans is the intimidation factor," said David Nathanson, TVG's general manager. "TVGfree.net takes the apprehension out of the game, allows people to learn at their own pace, and makes participating fun and rewarding."
TVGfree.net offers interactive tutorials on the basics of horseracing, exotic plays, and handicapping. In addition, each day TVG's roster of expert analysts will handicap one race and provide a detailed explanation and rationale for his/her selection.
Users of TVGfree.net will be encouraged to test their learning and handicapping skills against the TVGfree.net community for daily contests and prizes. Players that earn their way on to the TVGfree.net "Leaderboard" will be showcased to help novices learn about winning handicapping strategies. Once comfortable with the sport, players will be encouraged to put into action what they learn by being able to play any TVG track for fun using $1,000 TVG dollars (play money). There will be daily contests, and prizes will be awarded.
"TVGfree.net is the only place new fans can learn directly from the pros and play to win without any risk," said Nathanson. "In combination with efforts on our broadly distributed television network -- like the weekly series, Horseracing 101 -- TVGfree.net will be a breakthrough tool for the industry to use to grow its base."
