From Left to Right: Challenge Director Chris Bahr, Christian Hellmers, Tom Quigley, Joe Masino, Mark Strieff

Christian Hellmers Wins More Than $100,000 in Del Mar Fall Challenge

Christian Hellmers of Rancho Santa Fe, CA, built a big lead with both entries on day one and coasted home to victory in the Del Mar Handicapping Challenge finishing first and second. Players began the contest with a $3,000 live money bankroll in the two-day Challenge. Hellmers scored big on Day One in the Bob Hope Stakes, race five, hitting a $100 trifecta paying $20,000+ on both entries. Mark Streiff from Mission Viejo, CA, finished third.

More than $100,000 in prizes were at stake including three $10,000 entries in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) and three entries in the $2.5 million National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) in February. The Challenge buy-in was $4,500 with $3,000 going to the bankroll and $1,500 to the prize pool. Players could purchase up to two entries. 100% of the prize pool was distributed back to the winning players with Del Mar adding an additional $10,000 BCBC entry.

Hellmers netted a payday of more than $100,000 by running his two $3,000 starting bankrolls into more than $45,000 combined, $45,000 in prize money and two $10,000 BCBC entries. In addition, he is eligible for a $1 million bonus by winning the 2018 BCBC at Churchill Downs.