The TwinSpires "Last Call for Vegas" online tournament concluded Saturday evening, and we would like to congratulate Mike Midland of Chicago, IL for taking home the first place prize of a berth into the 2011 Horse Player World Series at The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, $1,150 cash and four-night hotel stay! Mike's $103.80 cumulative bankroll from the Fair Grounds' 10 contest races was one dollar best over the next competitor, Daniel Pastaleniec. Chris Larmey finished third with a $99.20 bankroll.

With 973 official entries TwinSpires.com awarded a record 29 entries into this year's Horse Player World Series at Coast Casinos. Total cash and prizes from the tournament were valued at $48,650, representing 100-percent payback on the $50 buy-in event.

"As far as the contest goes, I utilized the Bris Ultimate PPs with quick play comments," explained prize winner Michael Vito. "I am very much a trip handicapper. I look closely at [BRIS] class ratings and the competition horses have been running against. I am also a firm believer that pace makes the race. I have been handicapping seriously for the last five years, and I regularly attend the Kentucky Derby and Breeder's Cup."

"I'm 32 years old and was introduced to horse racing around the age of 16," stated fourth place finish Tori Miller. "For this contest I felt like speed was holding up all day and focused a lot on horses who would break and get to the lead or sit near the lead."

Congratulations to all 29 prize winners who are heading to Las Vegas next month, and thank you very much to all of our members who participated.

You can visit the contest homepage for complete final standings and results, here.

Last Call for Vegas Saturday, January 22nd

TwinSpires is guaranteeing 5 seats to the 2011 Horse Player World Series in our Last Call for Vegas Qualifier on Saturday, January 22.

Contest races will include the last 10 races on the Road to the Derby Kickoff Day card at the Fair Grounds on Saturday, Jan. 22.

$50 buy-in. Limit 3 entries per player.

Contest format: $2 mythical Win/Place wagers on the last 10 races at Fair Grounds on Jan. 22. Winnings capped at $52 to Win and $26 to Place. Highest ROI wins.

View Results

First post at Fair Grounds is set for approx. 1:10 pm ET / 10:10am PT.

Handicapping Fair Grounds

Fair Grounds Full Card Daily Selections - top 3-4 picks for every race plus best bets on the card. Only $7.

January 22nd Last Call for Vegas Prize Payouts:

Guaranteed Seats: 29

1st place: $1,150 Cash in wager account + Entry into 2011 Coast Casinos Horseplayer World Series with 4-night hotel stay.

2nd - 5th place: $500 Cash in wager account + Entry into 2011 Coast Casinos Horseplayer World Series with 4-night hotel stay.

6th - 10th place: $250 Cash in wager account + Entry into 2011 Coast Casinos Horseplayer World Series with 4-night hotel stay.

11th - 15th place: $100 Cash in wager account + Entry into 2011 Coast Casinos Horseplayer World Series with 4-night hotel stay.

16th - 20th place:$50 Cash in wager account + Entry into 2011 Coast Casinos Horseplayer World Series with 4-night hotel stay.

21st-29th: Entry into 2011 Coast Casinos Horseplayer World Series with 4-night hotel stay.

This one-day tournament will guarantee at least 5 prize packages to cover the Horse Player World Series buy-in, four nights at The Orleans Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas and $500 to be deposited into winning wagering account for traveling expenses ($1,150 for the tournament winner).

***This is a mythical wager contest. There is not a REAL MONEY wagering in this handicapping contest.

This tournament features a 100 percent payback. After 250 entries are sold, TwinSpires will award one additional seat to the Horse Player World Series for every 30 additional entries sold (to the 6th place finisher and beyond, as necessary). If fewer than 30 additional entries are sold, any additional entry fees collected will be added to the purse of the 1st place finisher. The mandatory contest races will consist of the last 10 races on the Fair Grounds card on January 22 and will be available online on the Thursday evening prior to Saturday's Fair Grounds card. As usual, customized Brisnet.com handicapping reports will be available for contestants (regular product prices apply).

Last Call for Vegas - Congratulations to Our 29 Winners!