Lexington, KY – The Breeders’ Cup and Churchill Downs today announced the second annual Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge, a two-day handicapping tournament to be conducted during this year’s Championships on November 5-6.  The Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge will feature a potential prize pool of $340,000 and will be limited to 120 contestants.

The 2010 Betting Challenge will follow last year’s inaugural event as a live-money, $10,000 buy-in from each contestant.  Of that buy-in, $7,500 per entry will be the players betting bankroll and $2,500 will be dedicated towards the prize pool. Players retain any monies remaining in their bankroll at the end of the tournament.

“Based upon the success of last year’s event, the 2010 BCBC should attract more players and a higher prize pool,” said Kenneth E. Kirchner, President of FalKirk International and the coordinator of the event for Breeders’ Cup Limited.  “Churchill Downs will be a wonderful host setting for the event, with first-class accommodations and amenities for the players.” 

• The tournament, which will be held in Churchill’s sixth floor Gold Room, provides each player with individual betting carols, televisions and seating.

• The room also features a racetrack viewing area from the sixth floor balcony.  All registered players will receive a full buffet each day, clubhouse credentials for themselves and a guest, discounted hotel rooms and a gift package of merchandise.

• The top six finishers will also qualify for the NTRA’s $1 million National Handicapping Championship, which will be held January 28-29, 2011 in Las Vegas. 

“We are very excited to host the Betting Challenge and believe the players will enjoy both the challenging competition and the hospitality offered by Churchill Downs during the tournament,” said John Asher, Vice President of Racing Communications for Churchill Downs.  “Combining the excitement of the Breeders’ Cup races with tremendous betting value and payouts over the two compelling days of racing will guarantee an exciting Betting Challenge.”

Last year’s champion, David Wilkenfeld, collected over $166,000 with his winning total of $41,000 and first place prize money of $125,000.

Based upon the maximum 120 entries, the total prize money will be $340,000, with $175,000 to the winner.

• Entries to the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge will open on July 15. 

• Players may purchase a maximum of two (2) entries

• There will be prize money paid to the top ten finishers.

• Players will retain all of the remaining monies in their bankroll at the conclusion of the event.

• The top three finishers will receive authentic Steuben crystal trophies.

• Players may reserve their position in the event by sending a $500 deposit, which will be credited towards the player’s buy-in.  The remaining $9,500 will be due on November 1, 2010. 

Complete rules and information can be found on the Churchill Downs website at www.kyderby.com and also at www.breederscup.com beginning July 1.

About Churchill Downs

Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875.  Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 7, 2011. The track’s 2010 Spring Meet continues through Sunday, July 4 and its Fall Meet is scheduled for Oct. 31-Nov. 27.  Churchill Downs has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships a record six times and the event will return to the track the next two years on November 5-6, 2010 and Nov. 4-5, 2011.  Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.

About Breeders’ Cup

The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships.  The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, and the Breeders’ Cup Stakes Program, which will provide racetracks and horsemen nearly $4 million in purse enhancements this year. Total purses for this year’s two-day event at Churchill Downs, Nov. 5-6, will be $26 million. The 2009 Breeders’ Cup delivered nearly $125 million in winning wagers to fans at betting locations around the globe. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup Web site, www.breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter and on YouTube.

 

 

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