Woodbine contest gains traction

Horseplayers looking for contest action have lots of options on DRF Tournaments over Labor Day weekend.

The most unique event of the weekend is a one-day qualifier for the Saturday, Sept. 16, Woodbine Mile Day contest. In 2016, Woodbine became the latest track to plan a livebankroll contest to coincide with one of their biggest days of racing. The contest was a success – an incredible 36 percent of the ontrack handle of $510,000 that day was bet by players in the contest. The overall winner was Don Chung of Clifton Park, N.Y., who won in a wild finish.

This year, Woodbine hopes to position the event as one of the premier live-bank events of the fall, as well as giving an excellent excuse for interested horseplayers from across the United States and Canada to plan a trip to Toronto. The contest costs $3,500 Canadian to play, and entries are available for purchase now.

But interested players should really look to win their way in via DRF Tournaments. Sunday’s qualifier costs $320 to play and 1 in 12 entries will win their full buy-ins plus $500 (U.S.) in travel. Saturday’s lineup also will include feeder options into Sunday. Check out tournaments.drf.com for all the various options.

Speaking of Saturday, the featured event is the final Grade 1 qualifier of the Saratoga season for the World Championship of Handicapping. The WCH is a $1 million, no-takeout online event that will take place early next year. It’s the perfect opportunity for players seeking value for their money and also for those for whom travelling to contests is difficult.

WCH finals seats can be purchased for $5,000, but they also can be won. In Saturday’s Grade 1 qualifier, entries cost $580 and 1 in 10 will advance. Players looking to get involved for less than a $580 investment have several options. Every operating day, DRFT is running Round 1 contests that cost $95 and advance 1 in 7 to the Grade 1’s. Berths to the Round 1 contests can be obtained via feeders for as little as $11, or occasionally even free.

Additionally, there are feeders this weekend for both the Keeneland Challenge and Santa Anita Autumn Championship, as well as a full slate of match-up and winner-take-all contests. Go to tournaments. drf.com for a full list of all the options available.