A pair of win-and-in contests

Contest players looking to get a jump on their future plans should take a look at the featured games this weekend at DRF Tournaments. Saturday offers chances to win in to both Keeneland’s Fall Challenge and the 2019 World Championship of Handicapping – DRF’s online contest with big money on the line and no takeout in the finals.

We’ll start with Keeneland. For Saturday’s qualifier, players put up $410, and one in 10 entries will win a prize package worth $3,500. This includes a $3,000 entry to the Fall Challenge, a live-bank contest to be held Sunday, Oct. 14, as well as $500 in travel.

Keeneland’s contests are always a big deal – and a great excuse for contest players to visit Lexington, Ky., one of the great places in the sport. Adding to the appeal of the weekend, Keeneland has added a second, smaller contest on that Saturday. If you’re serious about contests and racing in general, you should really plan on getting to Lexington for the tournament weekend either in spring or fall. You’ll see why Keeneland – along with Santa Anita – are renowned for hospitality in general and specifically when it comes to contest play.

Saturday’s World Championship of Handicapping qualifier is of the Grade 1 variety – meaning this is a chance to win in directly to the $5,000 event. Entries cost $580, and one in 10 will advance. You also will have the option of buying in, but why not win in instead?

There will be a free contest next Friday, July 20, held in conjunction with the opening of Saratoga and the first Friday of the Del Mar meet. The prize will be larger than most of the DRFT free tourneys – $500 in credit this time around. The contest – and the summer meets in general – will be the topic of special edition of the DRF Players’ Podcast held from 8-9 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday. This podcast will be conducted as a webinar – meaning if you want to listen live you’ll have to sign up for it – but you’ll also be able to ask questions throughout. It will be archived in all the usual places, including iTunes, Soundcloud, and Spreaker.

To sign up for the webinar, go to https://attendee. gotowebinar.com/register/5557137767143674626

Speaking of Del Mar and Saratoga, there will be feeders this weekend for both of those summer events, as well as a full slate of matchups, winner-take-alls, and credit builders, where you can fund your upcoming contest play. For more information, go to tournaments.drf.com.