It’s last call for the Monmouth Pick Your Prize contest. If you want to participate in the $2,000 live-bank contest, which happens at Monmouth on Saturday, June 2, you need to purchase your entry by the end of the day this Saturday (May 26). There are no walk-ups for this contest, as all prizes must be determined ahead of time. “From day one, the Pick Your Prize Challenge has surpassed my expectations,” contest director Brian Skirka said. “I was hoping to get 100 the first year and get to 150 by the third year. In reality, we had 140 entries year one and 172 in year two. The feedback from players from across the country has been extremely positive and I’m thankful for their support of a contest that’s a little different than the norm.” The contest costs $2,000 to play. Its tracks are Monmouth Park, Belmont, and Gulfstream. There is a $100 minimum bet and the pools available are win, place, show, exacta only. Players must bet at least $100 on five Monmouth Park races, and they must bet at least 10 total races with no maximum bets. :: Save 20% on PPs, digital paper subscriptions, and more with DRF's Memorial Day sale! After the contest, the top finishers will see their names on a prize board. They will choose from various options down the line. These options include Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge seats, National Horseplayers Championship seats, and cash. Last year in this contest, the player who finished 23rd still received an NHC seat. Overall in 2017, there were 17 NHC seats, five full BCBC seats, and more than $65,000 in cash. Entries have been rolling in for 2018, with players allowed up to two entries per player. “We already have players from 20 states plus Canada pre-registered,” Skirka said. “The goal this year is to get to at least the 172 we had last year, and I think we’re well on our way to doing that. Players have been extremely supportive of this concept and I appreciate them very much for that.” If you are not already pre-registered, you can download the entry form by contacting Skirka, either by email at bskirka@monmouthpark.com or phone at 732-571-6595 Players who don’t make the cutoff for purchasing entries – or who wish to accumulate an additional entry – will have at least one final chance via DRF Tournaments, which is running a final Monmouth qualifier on the holiday Monday. Seats cost just $126, and one in 23 entries will receive a prize package worth $2,500, including a Monmouth berth and $500 in travel. Players who already have two entries can still play in the qualifier. Monmouth will simply refund the money on one of the previously purchased entries. Also on Monday, players will have a chance to win into the two Saratoga Handicapping Challenges, which take place at the Spa on Friday, Aug. 10 ($1,000 buy-in) and Saturday, Aug. 11 ($2,000 buy-in). Monday’s contest costs $410 to play, and one in 10 entries will receive a package worth $3,500, including entries for both days at Saratoga plus a $500 travel voucher. There will be a full slate of games Saturday and Sunday as well, including feeders for upcoming tournaments such as the Del Mar Challenge and next year’s World Championship of Handicapping. The WCH is DRF’s online championship event with no takeout in the finals. Assuming full participation of 200 entries at $5,000, the purse will swell to $1 million. But many competitors will prefer to win their way in and that can be done exclusively at tournaments.drf.com