Del Mar 2018 contest

[propro]

It's back!  Top two go to Las Vegas for the 2019 NHC.  It's been 5 years since I finished second and I want to get back.  The rules currently have win, place and show wagers ONLY.  This would be a HUGE improvement over the last few years which have had exactas and trifectas as a possibility.  The winner in each of those contests was the one who hit one big exacta or trifecta for $100.  Win, place and show only takes the slot machine out of the contest.  I hope it stays this way.  The early rules have changed before the contest starts during the exacta and trifecta period, but I'm hopeful this time.  Currently a 25-1 cap on payouts.

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Format: The Contest is free to enter. ONE ENTRY PER PERSON. Participants place mythical wagers on at least one designated Del Mar race per racing day beginning July 18, 2018 and ending September 3, 2018. On occasion, a top stakes race from another track may be added. Win, Place or Show wagers only. Contestants may place as many wagers in as many different combinations for a total of up to $100 per race. In order to be eligible to win any prize offered, contestants must wager on a minimum of 20 races. For a race to count for the minimum number requirement, the full $100 must be wagered. Wagers less than $100 will be scored but will not count towards the minimum number of races to qualify for prizes. CONTESTANTS MUST PLACE AND SUBMIT THEIR OWN WAGERS AND ANY CONTESTANTS FOUND TO BE SUBMITTING SELECTIONS FOR MORE THAN ONE ENTRY WILL BE DISQUALIFIED ALONG WITH THE ENTRIES INVOLVED.

Scoring: The contestant with the highest mythical score after the last Contest race is the winner. THERE IS A PAYOFF ODDS CAP OF 25-TO-1 ON ALL WAGERS. The mythical bankroll is scored like live money. For example, a $100 wager that loses will result in a -$100 score.

Grand Prizes: The top TWO finishers will receive entry into the $2.5 million National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) in Las Vegas in February, 2019. A $1,000 travel and hotel stipend will be awarded to each qualifier for the NHC. Grand Prize winners will be required to produce a valid photo I.D. showing the name and address used to enroll in the contest.

Top 50 Prizes: The top 50 finishers will receive Del Mar prizes. Winners will select from various Del Mar related prize options determined by their finishing position. There will be no substitution of prizes and no cash paid in lieu of stated prizes. The top 50 will be determined from among contestants who wagered on 20 or more races during the course of the contest.

[Deleted]

registered. Am in.

[bobtailnag]

Me 2

[eye123]

This contest is always fun. My prize from a few years back.....



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[UpInClass]

GOOD LUCK TO ALL UPINCLASS PLAYERS!

................ www.dmtc.com/contest/36 ...................

[Deleted]

the first days pp's are up for wednesday's del mar races.....all the races...

[IWR]

My opening play on Opening Day...
$100.00 Place: #7 Restrainedvengence

[Unusual Pete]

Me too IWR.  For contest purposes only.  Irl I figure the 2 as the mlw.

[bobtailnag]

Agree that Texas Wedge looks best but not by much. Desert Stone and Move Over are pretty close. Tex was on my short list after the first go through but tossed him only because it'll be his first route try and needed minor reasons like that to separate the contesters. Ended up with Desert Stone noting that Baltas really turned this horse around since getting him from Rodriguez. BRIS shows the horse as an S but looking only at his races with Baltas, he's really a P or an E/P4. In that 1-1/8 maiden win we was last early but only 3 lengths back and raced clear down the stretch. Then he won again the same way - running 3 back early then running clear down the stretch. Now he picks up Nakatani who's a 17% winner on grass. I would be very happy to take a win at 4/1 and start the tournament tied for first. A couple of big long shots will come this way - just gotta be patient.

[Deleted]

a tough race to gauge for sure....1-arawak looks likely and has the class to win...5-desert stone may run to his first two races form but did win his last two and will probably bounce...9-move over may be the one here as he is sharp and ready and is the closer with the mostest...13-afleet ascent may do....soooo....5 is the one to beat...'i' bet three horses for different placings and hope the odds stay high and 'i' get some racing luck...so, 9 is the one who should be in a top three placing...

[ziggy]

I think he's better than his last 2, and a nice price so Artie B Good to me!

[tims70ar]

Jeff Siegel is on Artie B Good at 20-1

[propro]

What a tough race. Right now, I'm in on Artie B Good as well, but this could change. I wasn't impressed with Texas Wedge when I watched the replay of the June 8 race, but it's clear he needed the race and could be better today. However, there was a visually impressive close on the replay. Happens to be Artie B Good. Since I'm really bad at figuring out which 6.5 hill horse is going to get the mile at Del Mar, I should probably toss both of them.

I was very impressed with Desert Stone's last race. He waited patiently behind the leaders on the turn while others were moving, found his seam and ran about an eighth of a mile to win it comfortably. I think there's way more there for him to offer. He beat La La Land, who was coming off a second in the Singletary, beating some of these.

So Desert Stone is logical to me and I like Artie B Good....but my subconscious does a better job of handicapping than I do and it's screaming out Shane Zain. He's put in moves in his dirt starts against mostly better, but fades. He's out of My Gi Gi, who was a moderately successful G2 winner on the turf at Hollywood in 2012 for Peter Eurton. If Shane Zain is going to be successful, it's going to have to be on the turf and maybe today is his day. Not sure I can change to him, but I probably should.

Good luck everyone!

[propro]

IWR, Pete.....solid start for you two!

[Unusual Pete]

Thanks Propro. Actually did it 100w in the contest. Tomorrow I'll try the 12 Flip the Coin Jan.

Played this contest enough times to know it's about finding a rush. Hitting three or four in a row is how you make a run. Can't remember, but think I finished 4th once when the top 2 were nhc bound. Remember getting coolered by a bad internet connection when a scratch led me to my 2nd choice, a cap horse, but I was shut out. It was the difference between 4th and winning. Came desperately close to nhc freerolls twice. Once in the dmr contest and once in a GGF on track contest where I tied for first, but lost a coin flip for a seat. Neither of us were able to witness the flip. That beat damn near broke this player's thirst for racing. If I think about it too much you might wanna consider ramping up the gun control dialogue.

[propro]

Pete, keep giving it your best and definitely stick to the 100W strategy. I was second in this contest in 2013, which got me to the 2014 NHC, so it can be done!! I switched my play with 20 seconds to go to 100P on Shane Zain. Had the lead briefly turning for home until he faded. Looks like they need a 5f on the turf for him. I normally play 100W, but with a 25-1 cap, I figured place would have capped or been close on a 40-1 shot.

[Unusual Pete]

2nd in this contest is a major accomplishment! Nicely effing done! To get to the nhc on a freeroll is how only pros and propro do it!

[propro]

Pete - thanks and good luck with your "coin flip" today. I'm on Mongolian Groom today. Came from last 2 back on the dirt to just miss after being 19 lengths back. Took blinkers off and tried MSW on turf last out and set a slow pace before kicking strongly home in the final eighth. Love that versatility and I'm expecting him to lay off the leaders and close from midpack at a solid price. Good luck everyone!