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NTRA Release
Lexington, Ky.—After a thrilling summer of competition, the sixth annual Beat Byk NHC Challenge has come to a close and David Erwin of Charlottesville, Virginia took home the grand prize, his first ever berth to the National Horseplayers Championship next March. This year’s contest drew more than 12,000 entries throughout the 8 weeks of competition, which saw entrants “Beat Byk” 14 out of 17 times. The Beat Byk final qualifier on September 14 had 918 individuals who played for the winning ticket.
“I’ve been trying to qualify for the NHC for a few years, but I do not have time to put the work in to play in very many contests,” said 2024 Beat Byk winner David Erwin. “I started playing in contests about 10 years ago and have played in several Beat Byk challenges. I’m very happy to get to go to the NHC this year and thank Steve Byk for offering this contest.”
Erwin, a first time NHC qualifier, when asked what he’s most excited about going to Las Vegas to play in the NHC said, “I miss the racetrack. I grew up going to Fairmont Park in St. Louis fairly often and probably first went when I was 8 years old. With ADW’s, I don’t get to the track very often anymore, especially living in Virginia for 30 years, other than a trip or two a year to Colonial or Laurel and an occasional run to Keeneland. So to be at the NHC, in a room full of my people, where we all have something in common, I think will be a great experience.”
Together with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Steve Byk, host of the Thoroughbred radio news magazine “At the Races” on Sirius XM, partnered to send one NHC Tour member to Las Vegas. Throughout eight weeks this summer, Byk selected the weekend stake races to comprise the competition for that week. There were 17 chances to qualify before the Beat Byk NHC Online Qualifier the weekend of September 14. All who correctly selected the winning horse in each round advanced to the qualifier.
“Beat Byk is my favorite highlight of the summer season,” Steve Byk said. “Congratulations to David on a great effort to win his way to Vegas as the Beat Byk representative. I’m proud that Beat Byk is a free contest that gives small budget players a chance to qualify for NHC.”
“At the Races with Steve Byk” is Thoroughbred racing’s only national daily news and talk show. The show also streams live on www.stevebyk.com.
