Registration for Belmont Stakes Challenge now open

by Keith McCalmont

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced registration is now open for the two-day Belmont Stakes Challenge presented by Jackpocket slated for June 4-5.

NYRA Handicapping Challenge entrants will be able to register and compete online in all contests via NYRA Bets. The leaderboard for all of these contests will be posted on NYRABets.com and throughout the day on America’s Day at the Races, the acclaimed national telecast produced by NYRA in partnership with FOX Sports.

In order to enter and play online, contestants must be registered NYRA Bets account holders. To learn more, visit www.NYRA.com/challenge.

Entrants for the two-day Belmont Stakes Challenge will compete for cash prizes through fourth place as well as one seat to the 2022 Belmont Stakes Challenge, four seats to the 2022 National Horseplayers Championship (NHC), and two seats to the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC).

The 2021 Belmont Stakes Challenge has an entry fee of $10,000, of which $2,500 will go directly to the prize pool, with the remaining $7,500 comprising each participants’ bankroll. Eligible tournament races at Belmont Park will start on Friday, June 4, and end with the 153rd running of the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on Saturday, June 5. Contest players can make win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, quinella and daily double wagers.

Online registration for the Belmont Stakes Challenge is available now at https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/handicapping-challenge.

In addition, there are a number of upcoming Jackpocket Handicapping Challenges, a series of one-day high-stakes handicapping contests at NYRA tracks that require a $3,000 buy-in fee for each of the following marquee race days:

·        The Stars & Stripes Challenge presented by Jackpocket on July 3 at Belmont

·        The Whitney Challenge presented by Jackpocket on Aug. 7 at Saratoga Race Course

·        The Jockey Club Gold Cup Challenge presented by Jackpocket on September 4 at Saratoga Race Course

·        The Cigar Mile Challenge presented by Jackpocket on December 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack

Each Saturday throughout the racing season - with the exception of the NYRA Bets challenge series dates and November 6 - NYRA Bets will offer a $300 live-money handicapping challenge.

The unique NYRA Bets $300 live-money handicapping challenge ($200 live bankroll / $100 prize pool) offers cash prizes to the top seven finishers, while players that land eighth through tenth in the standings will receive an entry in next week’s contest ($300 value).

Jackpocket is the official mobile lottery partner of The New York Racing Association, Inc. Fans can download the Jackpocket app and use code “PONIES” at checkout to receive a free lottery ticket.

New NYRA Bets members are currently eligible to receive a bet $200 get $200 bonus. NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of The New York Racing Association, Inc. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.