The Horseplayer Magazine redesigns HorsePlayerdaily.com; Adds new exclusive content
May 1st marked the launch of the new HorsePlayerdaily.com website. You'll still be able to find some of the regular features you've grown to appreciate such as the NTRA Race of the Month and the Carryover Watch/Guaranteed Pool and Track Takeout lists, but they've added some very exciting new content.
One of the new features is "Your Blogs" where anyone that chooses to can setup their own blog linked right from the HorePlayerdaily.com website and powered by 21publish.com. In an effort to get things off to a fast start they've even offered up a contest called "Blog Your Way to a Job" where the winner will get a paid freelance contract valued between $1,800 and $3,000 for the six issues of the magazine to be published in 2007.
For me, the most exciting new feature is The Players' Lounge which can be found under the link titled "Tourney News." Here you're going to find a couple of firsts. One is the first ever Tournament Money Leaderboard (think golf money list) and the second is the first ever Tournament Player Rankings (think college basketball/football polls).
The money list will consist of players that have earned cash in any major contests from February 1, 2006 right on through the end of the year Championships, both the DRF/NTRA NHC and the Horseplayer World Series. The player poll will rank the Top 20 tournament players in the country and will also include an "others receiving votes" list. The rankings are determined by a "blue ribbon" panel made up of 10 tournament players (myself being one) from all around the country. Each voter will rank their Top 10 players one through 10. Points are given on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale. The inaugural poll has NHC VII Champ Ron Rippey ranked #1 with 71 points on the strength of six first place votes. If you're a tournament player I don't think it can get any better than this, and I think this is just the beginning of something great!
In addition to all of the above in The Players' Lounge you're also going to find a full tourney schedule (includes NHC and HPWS contests), recaps of past contests, and coming soon they will have previews for upcoming contests. Last but not least, you'll also find a monthly topic/question that each panelist will talk about/answer. This is/will be a definite can't miss destination for any tournament handicapper.
$1,000 Play of the Day Cajun style
I'm very excited to announce that I will be providing a daily tip sheet for the 2006 Meet at Louisiana Downs beginning with opening day on May 5th. The tip sheet will feature a "$1,000 Play of the Day" where the challenge is to turn $100 into $1,000. Not an easy feat by any stretch of the imagination. I guess going in the goal will be to hit one out of 10 to break even and see how it goes from there. In addition, there will be four to five other races will analysis, and the remaining races will just have the top three picks listed. You can pick up the tip sheet for free at the track or on the Louisiana Downs website at ladowns.com. I'm very excited about the opportunity and I hope you decide to follow along.
Kentucky Derby 132, who ya got?
It's pretty easy and I'm not going to second guess myself. I think the best horse in the field is Sweetnorthernsaint. I loved him going into the Hawthorne Derby and, as you may have seen, he didn't disappoint, and hasn't done anything wrong since to make me jump off. He's fast early and faster late. A lethal combination. My key to riches will be Deputy Glitters. The Wood was a nutty race with Keyed Entry running off and getting the pace all out of whack. Other horses I like to be in the mix are Brother Derek, Barbaro, Bob and John, and the aforementioned Keyed Entry. I do give Point Determined and Cause to Believe a chance to clunk up for minor awards.
I'm not a big fan of Lawyer Ron at all. He's simply too slow. His one fast race was against Mark of Success and Hyte Regency. Exactly. That figure, I believe, is dead wrong. If he wins I'm okay with losing. Sinister Minister. Whatever. He killed me in the Pick 4 last out and I'll give him the chance to do the same Derby Day.
Good luck to all and just know that if it comes in Sweetnorthernsaint over Deputy Glitters I'll no longer have a day job!
Peace out.
Related Links:
The HorsePlayer Magazine
Harrah's Louisiana Downs
Kentucky Derby 132
DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship
Horseplayer World Series
