Choose Your Berth!

There are 4 berths up for grabs in the 2019 Fall Champions Tournament:  Two berths into the NTRA National Horseplayers Championship (NHC), one berth into The Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) and one berth into The BIG One.  The first place finisher can choose 1 of any of the 4 berths.  The second place finisher has a choice of 1 of the 3 remaining berths.  The third place finisher has a choice of 1 of the 2 remaining berths and the fourth place finisher wins the remaining berth. 

The NHC berth cannot be bought; every player must qualify for the NHC tournament.  This qualifier is for the NHC taking place in February, 2020.  The BCBC berth covers your $2,500 entry fee and $7,500 bank, as well as two days of championship racing, and tickets to a VIP Breeders’ Cup party for you and a guest.  The BCBC takes place November 1 & 2, 2019 at Santa Anita and satellite locations.  The BIG ONE berth covers your seat to “The BIG ONE and bank (if any), as well as a 2 night stay at The BIG ONE reserved hotel and welcome party.  The BIG ONE takes place September 21 & 22, 2019 at Laurel Park. 

1. When can I enter the tournament?

Registration for the Saturday, August 17, 2019 tournament will begin Saturday, July 20.

You can call 301-470-5432 if you want to register with a credit card (Mastercard or Visa) - Entry fee Only.

The bank cannot be charged to a credit card. Or, you can mail in your entry fee and bank (Money order or cashier’s check), or mail in just your entry fee, if you prefer.  If you are registering over the phone you have until NOON on Friday, August 16.  If you call after 12:00pm on Friday (8/16) you will reach a voice mail message telling you that early registration is closed and how many open spots in the tournament (if applicable), registration will resume the morning of the tournament at 10:00am. in the Sports Bar on the 2nd-floor Clubhouse.

2. How do I get a registration form?

You can e-mail diana.harbaugh@marylandracing.com before noon on August 16 or click here to download the rules and entry form.

3. How much to enter the tournament?

You need a total of $300 (per entry) to enter the tournament, a $100 entry fee and a $200 bank.

4. How many entries may I have in the tournament?

You are allowed a maximum of two entries per person.

5. What are the tracks available for wagering in the tournament?

The tracks available for wagering in the August 2019 tournament are Laurel, Saratoga, Gulfstream, Monmouth and Woodbine.  There are no mandatory races, all races from the valid tracks are available for wagering in the tournament.

6. Should I register early/Why? How many do you allow in the tournament?

Yes. The only way to guarantee a spot is to register early. We cap the entries at 300.

7. Do I get to keep what is in my bank at the end of the tournament?

Yes, the bank is yours to keep.  

Reminder - Participants must submit their tournament “Contest Card(s)” to the specified IRS designated teller in the Sports Bar area to cash out of the Champions Tournament. DO NOT cash out or make a withdrawal from your tournament “Contest Card” with any other teller or through a self-service machine. Doing so anywhere other than with the IRS designated teller in the Sports Bar may result in a zero balance and will adversely affect the player’s final standing.

8. If I place 2 bets on the same horse, is it considered 2 wagers as long as each bet is for $20 or more?

Maybe...the rules will give you more details, but you may wager $20 to win, place and show on the same horse and it will count as 3 bets;

 if you wager $20 to win twice on the same horse, that will count as only 1 wager.

9. How many places do you pay?

First through tenth place finishers receive a prize check.  If you are among the top ten, be sure to stop by the registration table before you leave.

10. What is the average winning balance to win the tournament?

Click here to see past winning balances.

11. How many people do you send to The National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) in Las Vegas, the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC),  and The BIG One ?

This tournament will send 2 people to the NHC, 1 person to the BCBC and 1 person to The BIG One.   NHC tour points will be awarded from this tournament.  To be eligible for NHC seats, players MUST be an NHC tour member PIOR to the start of the Champions tournament.  If a player is ineligible, the NHC berth will be awarded to the entrant with the next highest tournament bankroll.

12. Who pays for the airfare and hotel?

Airfare is the responsibility of winners.  Hotel stays are the responsibility of the winners of the NHC and BCBC berths.  A 2-night hotel stay is included for The BIG One participants. 

13. Is there a minimum/maximum wager?

Yes, the minimum wager allowed in the tournament is $20; there is no maximum wager cap. You can not add money to your bank, however if you have winning wagers, the winnings are added to your bank and you are free to wager the maximum in your bank.

14. Can I place all my bets early and leave or do I have to stay for the entire tournament?

You don’t have to stay for the tournament, however if you win, we will need additional information before we can mail your check, you will need to return to cash out your bank, one of your horses may scratch resulting in cancellation of your wager and you miss lunch. I suggest you plan to stay.

15. Can I bring a guest/phone/laptop?

A limited number of guests are allowed (first come, first served) for a $20.00 fee.  Phones are allowed; please be courteous when on a cell phone. We have limited electrical outlets.  If you want to bring a laptop, please arrive early so you can choose a seat near an outlet.

16. How do I get to Laurel Park?

Click here for directions to Laurel Park.

17. Where can I stay?

Click here for a list of area hotels.

18. Have a question not covered?

Call Diana Harbaugh at 301-470-5432 or e-mail at diana.harbaugh@marylandracing.com