Laurel Park is excited to present the Autumn Turf Challenge Handicapping Challenge, a one-day contest available both at the track and online. This event will be held on Saturday, September 26, and participants can join in person at Laurel Park or remotely via Xpressbet, TVG/4NJBETS, and TwinSpires.
The contest requires a $500 buy-in, which includes a $250 entry fee and a $250 betting bankroll. Contestants will place Win, Place, Show, Exacta, and Daily Double bets on all live races at Laurel Park that day. To qualify, players must wager on at least five Laurel Park races, betting a minimum of $50 per race.
With an expected 120 entrants, the prize pool totals $30,000. Prizes include a full seat to the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge valued at $10,000 and two National Horseplayers Championship Prize Packs, each worth $5,850 and including a $400 flight voucher and hotel accommodations. Additionally, the top five finishers will divide $8,300 in cash prizes, with first place receiving $4,150, second place $1,660, third $1,245, fourth $830, and fifth $415.
All entry fees are paid out as prizes, with the final amounts dependent on the number of participants. After the contest ends, the highest-ranking players will choose their spots for the BCBC or NHC events in order of their finish.
On-site registration at Laurel Park will be available only by walk-up on Saturday, September 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Clubhouse’s first-floor registration area, and only cash payments will be accepted. The $500 buy-in is non-refundable and includes a live racing program. Contestants will receive a betting card preloaded with their $250 bankroll to be used at self-service wagering terminals, accessible via a personal PIN.
Online participants on TVG/4NJBETS must pre-register with Brian Skirka at bskirka@monmouthpark.com by 3 p.m. ET on Friday, September 25. Those playing via Xpressbet and TwinSpires can register either with Brian or directly through their platforms by the first race on Saturday. All online players must specify which platform (Xpressbet, TwinSpires, or TVG/4NJBETS) they will be competing on at registration.
Participants must hold existing accounts with their chosen ADW provider. Each online player will receive a temporary contest-specific account funded with a $250 bankroll. Contest bets must be placed through this account, and players are responsible for managing their contest and personal accounts separately. Any remaining bankroll after the contest will be transferred back to the player’s personal account.
On the same day, Laurel Park will feature three stakes races that together offer a total purse of $350,000 as part of the Autumn Turf Festival.
For full contest rules and registration details, please visit the official site.
This article was originally published by Paulick Report on September 21, 2026, in the Horseplayers section. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Fan Take: This event is a fantastic opportunity for horse racing enthusiasts to test their handicapping skills in a high-stakes, competitive environment. By combining on-track and online participation, the Autumn Turf Challenge not only broadens access but also helps to grow and energize the horse racing community.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
