No question it seems like a lifetime between the Spring Thoroughbred meet and the Fall Thoroughbred meet, but with idle time comes the opportunity for big ideas, and Hawthorne will offer exciting new handicapping contests to kick off the new season.

Two contests will highlight the Fall campaign which begins on Friday, September 26, and with it, the possibility of making a ridiculous killing, should all things turn out perfect.

The first contest is free and it is called the Thoroughbred Survivor Contest. It is an online tournament where the ultra grand prize is $250,000. To reach that life-changing plateau you need to pick one horse a day to finish in one of the top three positions (win, place or show) in order to move on to the next racing day. You need to do this every racing day through Dec 31—yes, a tall task—but heck, it’s free and certainly not impossible.

Should you merely outlast all the other participants and become the last person standing, you will win $2,500, again, not too shabby for the cost of participation. As usual, our web site will give you all the details you need to get started…Rules for both contests attached.

Our other contest has been titled the $50,000 Hawthorne Handicapping Challenge and it will be a bi-weekly event. On Wednesdays and Sundays beginning Wednesday, September 24 (yup, before the ponies actually return), you will use your own dollars to place wagers in search of the highest bankroll. You keep every penny you invest, and winners of each bi-weekly contest will automatically qualify for the $50,000 Championship Contest which will be held in mid-December. Obviously there are plenty of details that you need to get familiar with, but it is fan-friendly and puts almost no restrictions on your wagering style.

With over $1,000,000 in purse money opening weekend, including the 72nd Hawthorne Gold Cup, live racing is enough to get my heart pumping, but the hopefully the contests put you over the edge. Good luck!