Kentucky Downs’ Handicapping Challenge
“We are excited to partner on one of the biggest online, live-money contests of the year,” says Equibase’s Kyle McDaniel
Kentucky Downs Release
FRANKLIN, Ky. —Kentucky Downs will host its annual “King of the Turf Handicapping Challenge” on Sept. 6 and has added a presenting sponsor, Race Lens, the interactive past performance product from Equibase, the Thoroughbred industry’s official database for racing information and statistics.
Race Lens also is sponsoring Kentucky Downs’ pair of online, live-money play-in tournaments on the track’s Thursday Aug. 28 (opening day) and Sunday Aug. 31 cards, with $300 and $400 entry fees, respectively. People who have never tried Race Lens can get a one month unlimited subscription for only $1 by using promo code KYDOWNS25 at Equibase.com.
“We are excited to partner with Kentucky Downs on one of the biggest online, live-money contests of the year,” said Equibase president and COO, Kyle McDoniel. “Race Lens is a real time saver, especially when playing in contests, so we hope that handicappers who have never tried it will take advantage of our new customer offer.”
For the next six weeks, there will be plenty of opportunities to secure an entry at far less than the $2,500 buy-in to compete in live-money King of the Turf, whose winner is crowned as National Turf Handicapper of the Year and awarded the coveted Global Tote King of the Turf Championship Belt. Qualifying is underway through feeder tournaments and direct qualifiers on horsetourneys.com.
The King of the Turf retains last year’s one-day format for the Sept. 6 competition. The $2,500 per-entry buy-in covers $1,500 for the player’s bankroll and $1,000 toward the prize pool.
The first-place King of the Turf finisher — determined by having the largest bankroll at the contest’s end — will receive a prize package to the 2026 National Horseplayers Championships (NHC) next March in Las Vegas or an entry into the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) in November, worth $10,000. The winner also receives more than $25,000 cash (based on 100 entries), as well as retaining his or her winning bankroll.
At least five NHC packages (NHC seat, flight reimbursement capped at $400, and hotel stay) and two BCBC berths are guaranteed to be awarded to the King of the Turf’s top finishers. Additional prizes will be awarded based on the total number of entries.
Kentucky Downs’ Aug. 28 and Aug. 31 play-in tournaments each will feature two prize packages to the 2025 NHC and also award $2,500 entries to the King of the Turf. Additional prizes will be awarded based on the number of entries.
The King of the Turf Challenge along with the qualifying tournaments are played online only through Xpressbet, TVG, 4NJBETS and HPI (Woodbine Entertainment Group’s advance deposit wagering platform). Complete rules and entry form at this link. More information and registration also available by emailing King of the Turf Handicapping Challenge Tournament Director Brian Skirka at bskirka@monmouthpark.com.
More information about Race Lens can be found at Equibase.com/RaceLens.
