Contest in Hartford Saturday

A capacity field of 225 horseplayers will be in the Hartford, Conn. area this weekend for Autotote's fourth-annual Bradley Teletheater Handicapping Challenge on Saturday and Sunday. In addition to $68,000 in prize money, the contest offers four qualifying spots in the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship, to be held in January, 2002 in Las Vegas.

The Bradley Handicapping Challenge is one of the East's richest and annual tournaments. Entries this year include several past National Handicapping Championship finalists, among them Ross and Randy Gallo, John Gilberg, William Jackson, Charles Carito, and 2000 Handicapper of the Year Steven Walker.

The entry fee is $300, and players will be in search of a first prize of $20,000.

Contestants must make mythical win, place, and/or show wagers totaling $200 on 10 races a day from Belmont, Hollywood, and Monmouth. Bets must be made in $50 increments, and odds are capped at 20-1 to win, 10-1 to place, and 5-1 to show. The players with the highest two-day bankrolls will be on their way to Las Vegas. Those who fall short will have another chance a week later in New York, when Belmont Park hosts its Handicapping Challenge on July 14-15. The Belmont contest offers $60,000 in prizes.