Major events around corner

Time is running out to qualify for major March events in the handicapping-contest world. The Ultimate Betting Challenge is just over one week away, and the Horse Player World Series begins just two weeks after that.

The UBC is a live-bankroll contest held at Gulfstream and Santa Anita on March 11. Players’ entry fees are paid back 100 percent in the form of cash and seats to major tournaments. You can put up $4,500 to play, or you can try to win your way in on DRF Tournaments this Sunday. The qualifier costs $279, and one in 21 entries will advance to the UBC and receive $500 in travel money.

Also on Sunday, $90 gets you an entry to the Horse Player World Series qualifier. The HPWS, with its expected $1 million prize pool, is a threeday mythical-money marathon March 30 to April 1 at the Orleans in Las Vegas. One in 19 entries will win their $1,500 entries (no travel bonuses in this event).

On Saturday, DRFT’s three main events will award entries for the Keeneland Grade One Gamble, Monmouth’s Pick Your Prize contest, and the Wynn Challenge.

The Keeneland event has a $162 buy-in, and one in 25 players will win their $3,000 entry fees plus $500 for travel. The Grade One Gamble is one of the major spring contests and annually attracts a strong field. Plus, players get to hang out at Keeneland for the weekend. This year, Keeneland has also added a cheaper event ($400 buy-in) on the same weekend so players will have two chances to win.

Registration is now open for the Monmouth contest, which takes place in early June at the New Jersey oval. Entries cost $2,000 but can be won on Saturday for $126. One package, which includes $500 in travel money, will be awarded for every 23 entries. Monmouth made a splash last year with the first Pick Your Prize contest, and this year’s event is expected to be even bigger, with at least $140,000 in the prize pool and 100 percent paid back in the form of cash and seats.

Last but not least, there is a qualifier for the Wynn Challenge. The qualifier, which is filling fast, costs $108, and one in 27 entries will win $2,000 seats and $500 for travel. The Wynn is a mythical-money event Aug. 4-5 and focuses on Del Mar and Saratoga.

Also this weekend, DRF Tournaments will be featuring $400 matchup contests, where players put up $216 to win $400 in site credit. This might be an appealing option for players looking to increase their tournament bankrolls in a hurry.

For a full list of feeders, credit-builders, and matchup contests, go to tournaments. drf.com.