De Francis Dash Day Gets Purse Boost, Betting Challenge

The Maryland Jockey Club and the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association announced June 8 a $25,000 purse increase for a quartet of stakes races at Laurel Park June 27. The Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash, for 3-year-olds and up at 6 furlongs, is now worth $175,000, while the Deputed Testamony Stakes, Alma North Stakes, and Japan Racing Association Turf Cup each offer $125,000 in purses. Nominations for the four stakes races close June 13. Laurel Park will also host the De Francis Dash Day Handicapping Challenge June 27, a one-day contest available both on-site and online. The event takes place at Laurel Park or via Xpressbet, TVG/4NJBETS, and HPI. The $500 contest ($250 entry fee, $250 bankroll) offers win, place, show, exacta, and/or Daily Double wagering on the full schedule of live races at Laurel Park, plus select races at Monmouth Park. Contestants must play at least five Laurel Park races, with a minimum $50 bet per race. The last race of the contest will be the final race at Laurel Park. Monmouth Park races are available for optional play only. There are no mandatory Monmouth Park races. Based on 120 entries, the total prize pool is $30,000, including one full seat to the Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge ($10,000 value) and two National Horseplayers Championship Prize Packs ($5,350 value, each including a $400 flight voucher and a hotel stay). Additionally, the top five finishers will split $8,300 in prize money, with $4,150 going to the winner, $1,660 to the runner-up, $1,245 to third place, $830 to fourth place, and $415 to fifth place. All entry fees are returned as prizes. The listed prizes are estimates, and the actual prizes will depend on the final number of participants. After the contest, the top finishers, in order, will choose their seats (BCBC or NHC). Contest players at Laurel Park may register only via walk-up registration June 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The registration area is on the first floor of the Clubhouse. Only cash 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 use at any self-service wagering machines at Laurel Park, accessed with the card's PIN. All online players from TVG/4NJBETS must pre-register with Brian Skirka (bskirka@monmouthpark.com) by 3 p.m. ET June 26. All online players from Xpressbet can pre-register with Skirka or directly through Xpressbet by the first post time June 27. HPI players must be registered with HPI by 3 p.m. ET June 26. All online players must declare their tournament advance-deposit wagering platform (Xpressbet, HPI, TVG/4NJBETS) during registration. Players must have an existing ADW account to participate in the De Francis Dash Day Handicapping Challenge. Each online participant will receive a temporary handicapping contest account through Xpressbet, TVG/4NJBETS, or HPI. Players will receive login credentials for their accounts. These accounts will be preloaded with a $250 bankroll. All contest wagers are placed through the temporary contest account. It is the player's responsibility to distinguish between contest and personal accounts. After the contest, any remaining bankroll is transferred to the player's personal account. For complete rules and registration details, please visit here.