'Road to the Roses' Kentucky Derby Fantasy Challenge Now Online

Feb 11, 2010 Darren Rogers

The 2010 “Road to the Roses” Kentucky Derby Fantasy Challenge, a free online contest that allows racing fans to manage a stable of Kentucky Derby contenders during the three-month buildup to the historic Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I), is now open for registration. Located at www.RoadToTheRoses.com, the game’s grand prize winner will receive a VIP trip for two to the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby in 2011.

    “Road to the Roses” players earn points based on how well their fantasy stable performs in a series of Kentucky Derby prep races, beginning with the Fountain of Youth, Hutcheson, Risen Star, El Camino Real Derby on Saturday, Feb. 20 and continuing through the $2 million Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 1. Players create up to three fantasy stables by selecting 10 horses from the complete list of Triple Crown nominees, as well as two trainers and two jockeys.

    Unlike years past, all horses in the stable will remain active and eligible to earn points throughout the duration of the game. However, participants will be able to designate five “power” horses which will earn double points in they finish first, second or third in prep races. Players may change their designated “power” horses to maximize scoring opportunities as many times as they wish, except on scoring race days. Stables will also have a chance to add five additional Triple Crown nominated horses later in the season during a supplemental draft period.

    The player who earns the most points at the end of the game will receive a VIP trip for two to the 2011 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, including airfare and accommodations, a private backstretch tour, a trip to the paddock on Kentucky Derby Day, a $1,000 betting voucher, rare gold-leafed Kentucky Derby mint julep glasses and official Kentucky Derby print. Also, a $300 Kentucky Derby wagering voucher will be given away weekly to the player who earns the most points in each individual weekend of prep races.

    Among the game’s new features in 2010 is a partnership with BRISNet.com to present “Kentucky Derby Trail” live chats every Friday between 7-9 p.m. ET. Moderated by five-time National Handicapping Championship qualifier Tim Holland, the question and answer chats will devote two hours each week to discussing promising Kentucky Derby prospects.

Also, the “Road to the Roses” Kentucky Derby Fantasy Challenge will feature updates every Friday morning from “Video Commissioners” with valuable information and advice about that weekend’s Kentucky Derby prep races. Players can also interact with each other and receive weekly game updates using the “Road to the Roses” Facebook page at Facebook.com/RoadToTheRoses.

For more information, official rules and a complete list of prizes, visit the Web site RoadToTheRoses.com.

    Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will host the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 1 and the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, April 30. The track will conduct its 2010 Spring Meet from Saturday, April 24 through Sunday, July 4. Churchill Downs is scheduled to host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for a record seventh time on Nov. 5 and 6, 2010. Churchill Downs tickets are available at http://tickets.churchilldowns.com or by calling (502) 636-4400. Additional information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.

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