Fantasy Racing
Due to some problems with our software, some of you were unable to get your selections to count towards the monthly and weekly prizes last week. The majority of you, however, were able to play, so we went ahead and continued the contest through week three. There are still two weekends left in November and clearly that will be a tight competition. This is a time of the year when jockeys move around a lot, chasing important mounts in places where they don't normally ride. For the players in the Weekly Fantasy Racing Challenge who do their homework, much of that info was available out there and they performed well. We never ever thought that none of our selections from Hawthorne would score even one point. That never ever happened before in the WFRC. But, when you make a judgement early in the week, you often miss some jockeys and trainers. We had a bad week with jockeys and trainers who moved around a lot, but we intend to do better this week. But, even with that info out there, we had no perfect scores for the weekend. Our staff thought that would happen for certain, but we overestimated the homework that was done. Fortunately, however, there were some really outstanding efforts, which should make those players very proud of their efforts and key players in the race for monthly prizes.
Meanwhile the controversy we spoke about last week has certainly surfaced as much as we anticipated. The discussions and debate surround the choice for Horse-of-the-Year to be made between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. Here at Oaklawn we are all excited that the controversy involves horses which raced over our track. They will always remember that Zenyatta's only win outside of California and over synthetic surfaces came on the dirt track here at Oaklawn in the 2008 Apple Blossom Handicap. This list of champions which have built their racing resume with winning efforts early in their careers at Oaklawn just gets longer. What makes big new around Oaklawn this week is that the stable area has opened and training will begin next Monday. Word is out that the Oaklawn stable area could end up the home of all three 2009 Triple Crown race winners, Summer Bird, Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird. The enthusiasm for the return of live racing to Oaklawn is palpable here in this community and, we expect, all over the country.
But, of course, the year is not over for those of us wrapped up in the Weekly Fantasy Racing Challenge here at the Oaklawn website. We continue to give you the chance to win prizes and hone your handicapping skills once again this week. This week your selections will be for Saturday and Sunday, November 21-22. If you've ever needed to pay attention to your homework, we think everyone has learned from the results of the past weekend. You have until Saturday morning to make your picks, so take the time you need to get back in the routine. Remember this week you are picking for Saturday and Sunday, November 21-22. That means that your picks need to be made by 10:30 a.m. (CST) on Saturday.
The good news here at Oaklawn is we'll start seeing horses on our track and getting ready for the opening of the live meet on January 15. If you have never been to the live races at Oaklawn, make that a goal for 2010. We've had excellent weather through the fall, which means that track superintendent Steve Breckling is very positive about having the track ready to be at its best next Monday and for the live racing season.
Once again, your selections this weekend will be for Saturday-Sunday, November 21-22. Your entries will need to be made by 10:30 a.m. (CST) on Saturday. Keep in mind the monthly element of this contest is special because it requires you to do your homework weekly and keep tabs on who's hot and who's not. This is a five-week contest, so the monthly prize aspect of this competition still has a ways to go.
As usual, we are using jockeys and trainers from a half dozen different tracks. You may select four altogether, but remember that they receive points only for the races they run at the track indicated. For instance, for jockey Ramon Dominguez, he receives points only for races at Aqueduct (the "Aqu" after his name tells you the track where he is earning points on Saturday and Sunday). Should he make a decision to go out of town, you will not get points he scores at another track. That works for all the jockeys and trainers. We find it happening more frequently with trainers, since they tend to ship horses all over the place. We've attempted to place trainers where they run the most horses and have the best chance to score points for you. Just like last week, you will be choosing four jockeys and four trainers to work for you this weekend. They are all of the same value. All will get five (5) points for a win, three (3) points for a second and one (1) point for a third place finish.
Each weekly winner scores for an Oaklawn cap. The player with the most points for the month of November will be receiving a collection of Breeders' Cup memorabilia. What a nice way to remember Breeders' Cup, with memorabilia that will otherwise only be available to some who atttend the event. Remember that's the monthly prize. But you can be a winner every week. So get ready to have another great weekend following the races and playing the Weekly Fantasy Racing Challenge, the most fun FREE contest on the Internet.
Also remember the WFRC competition for this weekend is for two days, Saturday and Sunday, November 21-22. You must have your picks done by 10:30 a.m. (CST) on Saturday. Don't forget!! We will not be able to take selections made after that time this week. Check in here each week to be sure about whatever changes are being made.
If you have not already done so, you'll need to go through the registration process again. Click here to register. This does remain the best FREE horse racing contest on the Internet, so you will not be asked for any money to play. In the meantime, don't hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have.
Over the past weekend we enjoyed a tie for the win between, Harold Krecek of Rowlett, Texas, and Marilyn Vicicondi of Lombark, Illinois. There was one player, William Ender of Anoka, Minnesota, finished five points behind.
Both of our winners selected the same team. They used the best-possible jockey team of Luis Saez (41 points), Joel Rosario (41 points), Ramon Dominguez (36 points) and Eibar Coa (34 points), along with a trainer squad of Todd Pletcher (12 points), William White (11 points), John Sadler (16 points) and John Locke (0 points), for a total of 191 points. William's third place team included the same best jockeys, Saez, Rosario, Dominguez and Coa, along with a trainer team of Pletcher, Sadler, Locke and Bob Baffert (6 points). The best-possible team for the weekend would have been worth 197 points and required jockeys Saez, Rosario, Dominguez and Coa, along with trainers Pletcher, White, Sadler and Baffert. For their great work, both Harold and Marilyn will be receiving an Oaklawn cap.
For the month of November our leader now by two points is Annie Kenny of Waukesha, Wisconsin, holds a two-point margin over William Ender. The history of this competition, however, suggests that the leaderboard will see considerable change with two weeks left and plenty of players in striking position. Don't forget the homework part.
We are happy to have all of you participating with us this weekend. In the meantime you have chance to pick up some prizes and bragging rights, so don't miss the opportunity.
Remember the selections this week are for Saturday and Sunday, November 21-22.
Good luck
The Commissioner's Office
If you have any questions regarding this Contest, please contact Oaklawn via email at commissioner@oaklawn.com.
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