Churchill Downs’ “Road to the Roses” Kentucky Derby Fantasy Challenge
presented by WinStar Farm is back. The free online contest that allows racing
fans to manage a stable of Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders during the three-month
buildup to the $2 million Kentucky Derby 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 138th
running of the Kentucky Derby in 2012, which has an estimated retail value of
$5,000.
“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 (G2), Hutcheson (G2) and Borderland Derby on Saturday,
February 26, and continuing through the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 7.
Each player can 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. All horses in the stable will remain active and eligible to earn points
throughout the duration of the game. Participants also 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.
In addition, stables have the ability to add five additional Triple Crown
nominated horses later in the season: three more horses starting March 21
and two others on April 18. In years past, there were brief supplemental draft
periods, but now participants can add the extra horses to their stable through
April 30 – the week before the Derby.
The player who earns the most points at the end of the “Road to the Roses”
Kentucky Derby Fantasy Challenge presented by WinStar Farm will receive a VIP
trip for two to the 2012 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, including airfare and
accommodations, a VIP tour of WinStar Farm on Thursday of Derby Week, a private
backstretch tour on Kentucky Oaks Day, a trip to the paddock on Kentucky Derby
Day, a $1,000 betting voucher, a limited edition gold-leafed Kentucky Derby mint
julep glass, a Kentucky Derby jacket and official Kentucky Derby print.
Prizes will be awarded to the top 25 finishers, plus Stage 1 (through March
21), Stage 2 (through April 18) and weekly winners.
A popular returning element is the ability to create your own league to
compete against friends and co-workers. Theoretically, if a stable is far
removed from first place in the overall standings, they could still be in the
hunt for top honors and bragging rights within their own league. A private,
league-only chat room has been added to the mix for trash-talking.
Also, Brisnet.com and its roster of horse racing experts once again will host
weekly online question and answer “Derby Chat” sessions every Friday between 7-9
p.m. (ET) to discuss the prospects of the most promising three-year-old
Thoroughbreds on “The Road to the Roses.”
For more information, official rules and a complete list of prizes for the
“Road to the Roses” Kentucky Derby Fantasy Challenge presented by WinStar Farm,
visit the Web site RoadToTheRoses.com or the game’s Facebook page at
Facebook.com/RoadToTheRoses.