Three live-money tourneys Sept. 1, 4 and 11 — one overall champ
King of the Turf Betting Challenge info
FRANKLIN, Ky.— Christy Moore of Fishers, Ind., came in second overall behind Kenny Mollicone in Kentucky Downs’ 2021 King of the Turf Betting Challenge, including winning the second of the three stand-alone tournaments during the meet. She’ll be back firing away at the handicapping-contest series again this year, with Kentucky Downs her favorite track to play.
“I loved it last year,” Moore said. “I was disappointed I got second, but it was a really fun contest. It was a good excuse to sit around and watch all of the races – though I’d have been watching Kentucky Downs anyway. Looking forward to it. I would be thrilled if I could do better. Though I know I was really lucky to win at least one of the contests last year, because there are a lot of really good people who play in them.”
Generally, one of them is her husband, accomplished handicapping tournament player Tim Yohler. But Yohler was involved in a lengthy business meeting during last year’s middle tournament and was unable to follow the competition, let alone play. He didn’t realize his wife had won until his phone started blowing up.
“He called and was like, ‘Heck, I’ve got 77 text messages. You won a contest and I was sitting here in a meeting all night?’” Moore recalled cheerfully.
Kentucky Downs’ third annual King of the Turf Handicapping Challenge features three stand-alone live-money tournaments on Sept. 1, 4 and 11, with cash prizes and seats at the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) and Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) up for grabs. The player with the highest aggregate bankroll after playing all three tournaments will be crowned the National Turf Player of the Year and receive the instantly iconic Global Tote King of the Turf belt, along with a BCBC seat (a $10,000 buy-in). Contact tourney director Brian Skirka at bskirka@monmouthpark.com to enter and for more information.
While Yohler has been a horse-racing fan for years, Moore said she only became interested a few years ago. It started with a trip to Keeneland, which made her want to go to other tracks to visit. They went to Kentucky Downs, and Moore was hooked.
“It was awesome,” she said. “Large pools. Great racing. Large purses so you attract great horses from all over the country. For me it was fun because I got to see all these different jockeys from all over.”
Moore started watching all the Kentucky Downs races, made easier because she works in insurance out of their home.
“I remember calling Tim and saying, ‘Holy cow! Look what the Pick 4 and 5 is paying here,’” she said. “When you watch other tracks, it doesn’t compare. But your pools are huge and your payouts are huge. If you’re betting and trying to make some money, it’s a great place to do it.”
Kentucky Downs Press Release
Photo: Christy Moore wearing a t-shirt from her favorite track. Courtesy Christy Moore
