Christian Hellmers of Del Mar and Steve Hartshorn of Fallbrook, CA, were the top two finishers on day one of the 14th annual Del Mar Handicapping Challenge. Hellmers turned the $5,000 live money bankroll into $33,800 with Hartshorn a close second with $31,804. Both of the leaders are in prime position for a $1 million bonus if they win the Del Mar Handicapping Challenge and the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge at Del Mar in November.
More than $300,000 in prizes is at stake in the two-day Challenge. First Place takes home $120,000 including a full $10,000 entry in the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge plus all bankroll winnings. The top eight finishers after Sunday’s races will all receive entries in the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship in February with an expected $2.5 million in prize money.