Last year, Meadowlands Racetrack's TV host Dave Little prevailed in the 19-day Battle of the Masterminds handicapping contest with an $11,643 USD bankroll, raising $1,000 USD for his selected charity, the Standardbred Retirement Foundation.
This summer, the Battle of the Meadowlands Masterminds returns with Jessica Otten, Michael Carter, Ken Warkentin, Dave Little and Gabe Prewitt pitted against each other in the ultimate handicapping contest. The fun kicks off Saturday, June 1 and runs through Friday, Aug. 2.
While The Meadowlands' track handicappers battle it out, fans get a chance to win the nightly cash prize and have a chance to grab the $10,000 USD grand prize on Hambletonian Day, Saturday, Aug. 3.
Each race night, the five track handicappers are given $500 USD in “mythical battle money.” Their mythical wagers must be on Races 4-9 each night ($500 USD will be wagered by every handicapper). The battle money wins, and losses are tracked, with results posted as soon as possible following Race 10.
Every night on track, there will be five drawing barrels, each with a corresponding Battle of the Meadowlands Masterminds name assigned. Fans can complete the entry form and deposit the slip in their chosen handicapper's barrel before Race 4 each night. Entry forms are available in the live racing program and at the Players Club Desk. After Race 10, each live race night, an entry from the winning handicapper barrel will be selected to win a $200 USD betting voucher.
On Saturday, Aug. 3, the winning Battle handicapper will be announced on Hambletonian Day. At the end of the Battle, the winning handicapper will receive $1,000 USD for their selected charity, the second-place finisher will receive $500 USD and third through fifth place will receive $250 USD.
The Meadowlands' track handicappers will compete for the following charities:
- Jess Otten: New Vocations
- Dave Little: Standardbred Retirement Foundation
- Gabe Prewitt: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- Ken Warkentin: Harness Horse Youth Foundation
- Michael Carter: Pacing For The Cure
All 18 season-long Battle winners will be eligible for the $10,000 USD grand prize. Ten names will be selected during the final drawing with the first through fifth names receiving a $200 USD betting voucher, the sixth name will receive a $250 USD betting voucher, the seventh name will receive a $300 USD betting voucher, the eighth name will receive a $400 USD voucher, the ninth name will receive a $500 USD voucher and the 10th and final name drawn will win the $10,000 USD. The remaining eight names will receive a $100 USD betting voucher.
Fans can also follow Meadowlands' handicappers on Twitter to keep up with the “friendly” contest trash-talking.
Complete contest rules can be found on playmeadowlands.com.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)