After a successful inaugural event in 2020, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and Indiana Grand Racing & Casino announced that they will again be partnering for the “Grayson Grass Challenge” to raise money for the foundation.
The Grayson Grass Challenge will be a five-week handicapping contest starting the week of August 2 whereby participants in the challenge submit selections on two specified turf races each week at Indiana Grand through September 2. Each contestant will be given a $500 bankroll provided by Indiana Grand, which can be used for win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta wagers. At the end of the five weeks, all remaining bankroll plus winnings from the contestants will go to Grayson.
“Our handicapping team at Indiana Grand had such a great time last year participating in the Grayson Grass Challenge, and we are proud to sponsor such an important cause once again,” said Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing for Indiana Grand. “Horse racing is not possible without healthy athletes, and we are thankful for the projects that Grayson funds to promote equine wellness in all horses.”
“Our first Grayson Grass Challenge was met with great enthusiasm and raised more than $3,900 for the foundation, so we are looking forward to another successful contest that includes several returning competitors,” said Jamie Haydon, president of Grayson. “We are appreciative of Indiana Grand for working with us again and recognizing the importance of equine research.”
The field for the Grayson Grass Challenge will consist of six teams: Nick Luck, international racing broadcaster and defending Grayson Grass Challenge champion (@nickluck); Bri Mott, StableDuel, and Rachel McLaughlin, racing analyst and production manager, Indiana Grand (@chixwithpicks); Gabe Prewitt, analyst for Scioto Downs and Pompano Park (@gabe_prewitt); Ellis Starr, national racing analyst for Equibase (@Ubercapper); and Daniel Tordjman, America’s Best Racing handicapper and manager, Partnerships & Sponsorships (@DanonymousMan). Indiana Grand will also participate with picks from Nancy Holthus, paddock analyst (@NancyUryHolthus), and Bill Downes, track announcer (@billdownes1).
Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is traditionally the nation’s leading source of private funding for equine medical research that benefits all breeds of horses. Since 1983, the foundation has provided more than $30.6 million to fund 397 projects at 45 universities in North America and overseas. Additional information about the foundation is available at grayson-jockeyclub.org
