Coming off a year in which more than 320 players competed for over $160,000 in cash and prizes, Monmouth Park’s $1,000 Haskell Handicapping Challenge returns this year on Saturday, July 19.

In addition to featuring Monmouth’s premier day of racing – headlined by the $1 million, Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell and the Grade 2 United Nations – Haskell Day also is home to one of the nation’s biggest handicapping contests.

The Haskell Challenge can only be played online through ADW partners Xpressbet, TVG and 4NJBETS. Players competing through TVG and 4NJBETS must pre-register with tournament director Brian Skirka by 3 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, July 18. Xpressbet players may pre-register with Skirka or sign up directly through Xpressbet up until 12 noon on contest day. Per contest rules there is a maximum of two entries per person.

The 2024 Haskell Challenge – won by New Jersey resident Pete Rogers – saw a record 323 entries. In total, the contest awarded 10 seats to the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC), two seats to the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) and $50,000 cash.

This year’s event is expected to attract the same kind of attention amongst contest players.

“A handicapping contest is only as successful as the support it receives from horseplayers,” said Skirka. “I couldn’t be more thankful for the support shown to the Haskell Challenge – and all Monmouth Park contests – by contest players across the country. Haskell Day has always been a premier day of racing which makes it the perfect day to host a major handicapping contest.”

To pre-register, players should contact Skirka at 732-571-6595 or bskirka@monmouthpark.com.

A player’s $1,000 buy-in is broken down into a $500 bankroll and $500 to the prize pool. All players must bet a minimum of five races at $100 apiece. Win, place, show, exacta and doubles are permitted. All Monmouth Park live races make up the wagering menu.

For players looking to win their win into the Haskell Handicapping Challenge, feeder contests are available on www.horsetourneys.com through Friday, July 18.

In total, Monmouth Park will host over 10 handicapping contests throughout 2025.  A full list of contest dates and rules can be found at www.monmouthpark.com.