TMJC will host the hybrid handicap competition in February
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 competition taking place on Saturday, February 14 at Laurel Park or via Xpressbet and TVG/4NJBETS.
The $500 ($250 entry fee, $250 bankroll) contest features Win, Place, Show, Exacta and/or Daily Doubles betting on the full card of live racing at Laurel Park. Entrants must play a minimum of five (5) competitive races, with a minimum stake of $50 per race. Bets below the $50 minimum are allowed, provided the player has the required minimum of 5 races at $50 each at the end of the match.
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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 into the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge ($10,000 value) and a “last chance” to win two (2) National Handicapping Championship prize packages ($5,350 value, including a $400 flight voucher and hotel stay).
In addition, the top five players split $9,300 in cash, with $4,650 going to the winner, $1,860 to the runner-up, $1,395 to the third runner, $930 to fourth place and $465 to fifth place.
All entry fees will be returned as prizes. Prices listed are approximations and exact prices 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 one 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 end of the race, the top finishers (in order of finish) select their place (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 one 2027 NHC seat.
Competitive players at Laurel Park can only register via walk-in registration on Saturday, February 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The registration table is located on the first floor of the clubhouse. Only cash transactions are accepted. The $500 contest buy-in is non-refundable and entry includes a live program.
Participants will receive a gambling card containing a $250 bankroll, which they can use to play on all self-service slot machines in Laurel Park using the card’s PIN.
All TVG/4NJBETS online players must pre-register with Brian Skirka ([email protected]) before 3:00 PM ET on Friday, February 13. All online Xpressbet players can pre-register with Brian Skirka or directly via Xpressbet until the first post time on Saturday, February 14.
All online players must provide 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 is assigned a temporary online handicap competition account via Xpressbet, TVG or 4NJBETS. Players receive login details for their accounts. These accounts come pre-loaded with a $250 bankroll. All match bets must be placed through the temporary match account. Players are responsible for distinguishing between competitive and personal accounts. After the match, the remaining match 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.”
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