Online Qualifiers Start Sunday for Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge
Lexington, KY (May 31, 2012) — Horse racing’s biggest live money tournament, the $400,000 Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) will launch a series of online qualifying contests for players wanting to participate in the Championship event at Santa Anita on November 2-3. The online qualifying contests begin this Sunday, June 3 at www.bcqualify.com.
“These online qualifying contests offer players a chance to win a Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge seat for as little as $100, a fraction of the full $10,000 buy-in,” said Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge Administrator Ken Kirchner. “This event is the ultimate big money betting contest and the online qualifiers have provided a simple way for all fans to participate.”
Two of the top three finishers in last year’s BCBC came from online qualifiers, including the winner Patrick McGoey and third-place finisher John Allunario. McGoey collected over $270,000, the first place prize of $160,000 and his accumulated bankroll of $110,600. McGoey added, “It was an incredible experience to turn a $100 online qualifying spot into a $270,000 win. And to do so at the Breeders’ Cup race was a once-in-a-lifetime thrill.”
The Breeders Cup Betting Challenge is unique in its format as the $7,500 of the $10,000 entry fee is dedicated to each player's live money bankroll, and $2,500 remaining going into the overall prize pool. The tournament winner is that player that has accumulated the highest live money bankroll over the two day event. Not only does the winner get to keep their entire live money bankroll, but they also receive a significant share of the prize pool. In 2011, the accumulated cash winnings and prize money topped $950,000.
“The BCBC is horse racing’s World Series of Poker,” said poker pro Michael ‘the Grinder’ Mizrachi. “I can’t wait to get to Santa Anita on November 2 and compete against the top horseplayers in the country.”
The June 3, 10 and 17 qualifying events are a two-round format with a $100 entry fee. The top ten percent of players from each event advancing to the Round Two final on June 24, where up to seven players will earn a full $10,000 qualifying spot into the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge. Complete information can be found at www.bcqualify.com.
The 2012 Betting Challenge is expected to have a prize pool of $400,000, with $175,000 first place prize (based on 150 players). Prize money is paid to the top ten finishers. Each contestant also keeps all monies in their betting bankroll.
