TMJC to host February hybrid handicapping contest
Press Release
January 19, 2026
The new Maryland Jockey Club is proud to host the “Laurel Park February First Chance, Last Chance Handicapping Challenge,” a one-day hybrid on-site or online handicapping contest taking place on Saturday, February 14, at Laurel Park or through Xpressbet and TVG/4NJBETS.
The $500 contest ($250 entry fee, $250 bankroll) offers Win, Place, Show, Exacta, and/or Daily Double wagering on the entire card of live races at Laurel Park. Contestants must play at least five (5) contest races, with a $50 minimum bet per race. Wagers below the $50 minimum are allowed, provided that, at the end of the contest, the player has the requisite minimum of 5 races at $50 apiece.
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Based on 120 entries, the total prize pool is $30,000, including a “first chance” to win one (1) full seat to the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge ($10,000 value) and a “last chance” to win two (2) National Handicapping Championship Prize Packs ($5,350 value, including a $400 flight voucher and a hotel stay).
In addition, the top five finishers split $9,300 in cash, with $4,650 going to the winner, $1,860 to the runner-up, $1,395 to the third-place entrant, $930 to fourth, and $465 to the fifth-place finisher.
All entry fees are returned as prizes. The listed prizes are approximations, and the exact prizes will be determined by the final number of participants.
Players with zero or one 2026 NHC seat will receive a 2026 NHC seat. Players with two 2026 NHC seats will receive a 2027 NHC seat.
No player can win two NHC seats in the same contest (including two in the same year or one in each of two different years). If a player finishes with two entries in a position to earn an NHC seat, that player will receive only one NHC seat, and the other seat will go to the next player.
At the conclusion of the contest, the top finishers (in order of finish) will select their seat (BCBC or NHC).
Players with zero or one 2026 NHC seat will receive a 2026 NHC seat. Players with two 2026 NHC seats will receive a 2027 NHC seat.
Contest players at Laurel Park may register only via walk-up registration on Saturday, February 14, from 11 am to 1 pm. The registration table is on the first floor of the Clubhouse. Cash-only transactions will be accepted. The $500 contest buy-in is non-refundable, and entry includes a live program.
Contestants receive a betting card preloaded with a $250 bankroll for play at any self-service wagering machines at Laurel Park using the card’s PIN.
All TVG/4NJBETS online players must pre-register with Brian Skirka ([email protected]) by 3 pm ET on Friday, February 13. All Xpressbet online players may pre-register with Brian Skirka or directly through Xpressbet until the first post time on Saturday, February 14.
All online players must declare their tournament ADW (Xpressbet, TVG, or 4NJBETS) during registration. Players must have an existing ADW account to participate in the Laurel Park Autumn Handicapping Challenge.
Each online player will be assigned a temporary online handicapping contest account through Xpressbet, TVG, or 4NJBETS. Players will receive login credentials for their accounts. These accounts will be preloaded with a $250 bankroll. All contest wagers must be placed through the temporary contest account. Players are responsible for distinguishing between contest and personal accounts. After the contest, the remaining contest bankroll will be transferred to the player’s personal account.
There will be four stakes races at Laurel Park on Saturday, February 14, highlighted by the $200,000 General George Stakes and the $200,000 Barbara Fritchie Stakes.
Click here for the complete rules of the “Laurel Park February First Chance, Last Chance Handicapping Challenge.”
Pick up reliable and rewarding tickets for major events!
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