YEAR TWELVE! TWELVE!
When we launched this in 2009, we were able to donate several hundred years to a racing charity.
Last year? More than $2,700. Since that first contest, nearly $13,300.
That’s a lot of money to benefit the horses and humans that make this sport possible, and you don’t have to be an ace handicapper to have a shot at some of the prize money.
Last year’s winner and recipients
Winner: Kristen Jones, who chose Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue and Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program
Runner-up: Robert Marks, who chose Backstretch Employee Service Team
Third-place: Bryan Langlois, who chose PA Racehorse Rehoming, Rehabilitation, & Rescue
In past years, recipients have included, Take the Lead, the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy, Backstretch Employees Service Team, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Days’ End Horse Rescue, Our Mims, Old Friends at Cabin Creek, ReRun, Second Stride, and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
Back when we started, I pledged $50 to the charity of the winner’s choice. Quickly, pledges and donations from participants, unsolicited, followed, in impressive, generous amounts. As always, a donation is not required to play but is welcome in any amount.
Every dollar donated goes straight to the charities, and information on pledging can be found below.
Here’s how it works:
Select a fantasy stable consisting of 12 Triple Crown-nominated 3-year-old horses. Horses earn points with top-4 finishes in official Kentucky Derby qualifying races, racing in the Kentucky Derby, and a top-5 finish in the Kentucky Derby.
Points will be allocated according to the Kentucky Derby points system. Kentucky Derby starters will earn an additional 30 points each; Kentucky Derby points will be, for finishes in the top 5, 300-120-60-30-15.
We divided the Triple Crown-nominated horses into three groups based on current Derby points standings.
Players will choose for their stable:
- 3 Group A horses
- 4 Group B horses
- 5 Group C horses
The groups are available in this Google doc. Click the tabs on the bottom to find the groups of horses, and don’t freak out if you find your own name already posted—we haven’t cleaned out the document from last year. You are NOT automatically signed up if you played last year.
Stables must be posted in the comments by Saturday, February 15, by 12:00 PM ET.
After the Rebel Stakes on March 14, the horses will be divided into two groups (D & E, again grouped by performance criteria above) and stables will be able to add:
- 1 Group D horse
- 1 Group E horse
Round 2 of the contest will begin with the Louisiana Derby on March 21; supplemental horses must be selected by noon ET that day. Points earned by Group D and E horses in Round 1 will not count toward the players’ total.
A reminder post will go up the week before Round 2 begins.
The contest will conclude with the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2. The winning stable will have the most accumulated points. In the unlikely event of a tie, ties will be broken as follows:
- Highest # of Derby Starters in your stable
- Highest # of Points at the end of Round 1
If you finish in the top 3, you’ll be able to choose the organization(s) to which your prize money is donated. All recipient organizations must be registered 501(C)3 charities and must support the well-being of the humans or animals in Thoroughbred racing or on the backstretch.
If you want to play, please post the names of the horses for your stable in the comments below (if you are a first-time or infrequent commenter here, your post will be held in moderation until I can approve it, which generally happens relatively quickly.)
If you want to pledge/contribute, please leave the amount in the comments or e-mail me at Teresa@brooklynbackstretch.com. We’d love to surpass the amount of money that we raised last year.
Linda Walker has generously donated her time to set up our spreadsheet, building on the work of Mike Dorr, who handled that part of the league for several years. Chris Rossi created the document of Triple Crown nominees that made Linda’s life a lot easier. Linda also maintains the spreadsheet and generally keeps track of day-to-day operations; without her, this contest wouldn’t have been possible over the last few years.
Questions? E-mail me, leave a question in the comments, find Linda and me on Twitter (@BklynBckstretch, @LindaVA3).
Good luck, have fun, and let’s do some good for the racing community.
Brooklyn Backstretch 
Count me in for $30. Here are my stables…thanks for running the league again!
Group A:
Tiz the Law
Anneau d’Or
Thousand Words
Group B:
Ajaaweed
Dennis’ Moment
Sole Volante
Max Player
Group C:
Nadal
Three Technique
Mr. Monomoy
Blackberry Wine
Mister Candy Ride
Jill Lammey $100.00
Group A
• Independence Hall
• Shoplifted
• Tiz the Law
Group B
• Authentic
• Eight Rings
• Gold Street
• Maxfield
Group C
• Bourbon Street
• Market Analysis
• The Big Kahuna
• Super John
• Weekend in Court
Thanks to you and Linda for running again. The horses also thank you.
Put me down for $50
Group A
* Shopflited
* Thousand Words
* Tiz the Law
Group B
* Authentic
* Dennis’ Moment
* Max Player
* Mayfield
Group C
* Fame to Famous
* Farmington Road
* Fore Left
* Gouvernour Morris
* Nadal
Stu Slagle $50
Group A
Enforceable
Silver State
Tiz The Law
Group B
Ajaaweed
Authentic
Finnick the Fierce
Maxfield
Group C
Basin
Daimei Corrida
Gouverneur Morris
Nadal
Structor
Stu,
Silver State is not a Group A horse, did you mean Silver Prospector?
Yes, Silver Prospector.
Yes, Silver Prospector
$50. Thank you both for doing this, Teresa and Linda.
(Group A)
Anneau d’Or
Enforceable
Tiz the Law
(Group B)
Dennis’ Moment
Gold Street
Scabbard
Sole Volante
(Group C)
Candy Tycoon
Gouverneur Morris
Mr. Monomoy
Nadal
Silver State
Thank you for the opportunity. Please put me down for a $100 donation
Group A
Independence Hall
Thousand Words
Tiz The Law
Group B
Authentic
Dennis’ Moment
Maxfield
Sole Volante
Group C
Basin
Chance It
Gouverneur Morris
Honor AP
Nasal
Nick Costa
$50 Thanks for your hard work and dedication in running the league
My stables are:
Group A
Anneau d’Or
Enforceable
Tiz the Law
Group B
Ajaaweed
Authentic
Dennis’ Moment
Maxfield
Group C
Exaulted
Green Light Go
Gouverneur Morris
Honor A.P.
Nadal
I’m in for $250
Group A
Tiz The Law
Thousand Words
Enforceable
Group B
Maxfield
Dennis’ Moment
Max Player
Authentic
Group C
Gouverneur Morris
Chase Tracker
Silver State
Nadal
No Parole
Here are my picks — these are dartboard ready!
A: Tiz the Law, Independence Hall, Thousand Words
B: Dennnis’ Moment, Sole Volante, Authentic, Gold Street
C: Azul Coast, Portos, Structor, No Parole, Silver State
$100
Group A
Tiz the Law
Independence Hall
Enforceable
Group B
Authentic
Dennis’ Moment
Maxfield
Sole Volante
Group C
Basin
Chance It
Nadal
Structor
Honor A. P.
$ 100
Group A
Anneau D’Or
Enforceable
Tiz the Law
Group B
Denis’ Moment
Ajaweed
Scabbard
Group C
Basin
Nadal
Silver State
No Parole
Mailman Money
Please select one more Group B horse.
Count me in for $100 – Here are my stables…thanks for running the league again!
Group A:
Enforceable
Tiz the Law
Thousand Words
Group B:
Authentic
Dennis’ Moment
Sole Volante
Max Player
Group C:
Nadal
Gouvernor Morris
No Parole
Basin
Honor A.P.
Count me in for $50. Thanks for doing this!
Group A
Anneau d’Or
Thousand Words
Shotski
Group B
Authentic
Eight Rings
Maxfield
Wrecking Crew
Group C
As Seen On TV
Ancient Warrior
Attachment Rate
High Velocity
Royal Act
Group A: Tiz The Law, Independence Hall, Thousand Words.
Group B: Authentic, Eight Rings,Gold Street, Max Player.
Group C: Gouverneur Morris, Nadal, Honor A.P., Basin, Three Technique.
$50.
Group A:
Anneau d’Or
Thousand Words
Tiz the Law
Group B:
Dennis’ Moment
Gold Street
Max Player
Sole Volante
Group C:
Attachment Rate
Blackberry Wine
Major Fed
Silver State
Structor
$100
I’m in for $50
Group A: Tiz the Law, Anneau d’Or, Independence Hall
Group B: Max Player, Dennis’ Moment, Ajaaweed, Finnick the Fierce
Group C: Three Technique, No Parole, Mr. Monomoy, Honor A. P., Royal Act
Count me in for $25!
3 Group A horses
Tiz the Law
Thousand Words
Storm the Court
4 Group B horses
Dennis’ Moment
Authentic
Eight Rings
Maxfield
5 Group C horses
High Velocity
By Your Side
American Butterfly
Liam’s Lucky Charm
Mr. Monomoy
I’m in for $75. Look forward to this every year!
Group A:
Tiz the Law
Anneau d’Or
Thousand Words
Group B:
Maxfield
Dennis’ Moment
Authentic
Gold Street
Group C:
Nadal
No Parole
Unrighteous
Silver State
Digital
Group A
Royal Act
Thousand Words
Sole Volante
Group B
Tiz the Law
Three Technique
Anneau d’Or
Storm the Court
Group C
Gouverneur Morris
Maxfield
Authentic
Enforceable
Max Player
Hi Ernie,
You need to pick horses for each group from the ones listed for each group on the tab Groups.ABC.
Ack! Thank you!! Ughhh. Schmuck!
REVISED
Group A
Anneau d’Or
Thousand Words
Storm the Court
Group B
Sole Volante
Authentic
Maxfield
Max Player
Group C
Royal Act
Three Technique
Gouverneur Morris
Blackberry Wine
High Velocity
Much better! 🙂
Group A:
Tiz the Law
Thousand Words
Shotski
Group B:
Dennis’ Moment
Authentic
Ajaweed
Wrecking Crew
Group C:
Chance It
Nadal
Gouverneur Morris
Enforceable
Mr. Monomoy
Mary,
Enforceable is a Group A horse, not a Group C horse. Please select another Group C horse. Thanks!
Thank you! Sorry for that! Swap him with No Parole 😄
Group A: Anneau d’Or, Storm the Court, Tiz the Law
Group B: Authentic, Dennis’ Moment, Maxfield, Sole Volante
Group C: Alpha Sixty Six, As Seen on TV, Blackberry Wine, Governeur Morris, Silver State
$100
Pledging $75
Group A: Tiz The Law, Independence Hall, Shotski
Group B: Ajaaweed, Max Player, Scabbard, Dennis’ Moment
Group C: Green Light Go, Bourbon Bay, Gouverneur Morris, Spa City, Ny Traffic
Entering on behalf of an anonymous player who pledges $100:
Storm the Court
Thousand Words
Enforceable
Gold Street
Scabbard
Maxfield
Finnick the Fierce
Bourbon Bay
Tiz Rye Time
Telephone Talker
Spa City
Gouverneur Morris
Group A: Tiz the Law, Shotski, Thousand Words
Group B: Maxfield, Scabbard, Eight Rings, Max Player
Group C: Honor A.P., Nadal, Three Technique, Monday Morning Qb, Green Light Go
Group A: Storm the Court, Tiz the Law, Anneau d’Or
Group B: Dennis’ Moment, Maxfield, Sole Volante, Scabbard
Group C: Americanus, Ete Indien, Don Bourbon, Full Flat, Royal Act
Thank you! And emailing with pledge in case I’ve not posted from the account I think I’m posting from… again.
Pledging $50
Group A: Enforceable, Thousand Words, Tiz the Law
Group B: Authentic, Dennis’ Moment, Maxfield, Sole Volante
Group C: Chapalu, Digital, Honor A.P., Mo Mosa, Nadal
$100
A
Tiz the Law
Anneau d’Or
Thousand Words
B
Gold Street
Sole Volante
Scabbard
Max Player
C
Basin
Blackberry Wine
Mr. Monomoy
Nadal
War Stopper
Group A: Tiz The Law, Enforceable, Shoplifted
Group B: Finnick The Fierce, Scabbard, Dennis’ Moment, Authentic
Group C: Nadal, Gouverneur Morris, Fore left, Unrighteous, Digital
$30 from me, please.
A
Enforceable
Independence Hall
Tiz The Law
B
Ajaaweed
Dennis’ Moment
Gold Street
Sole Volante
C
Azul Coast
Ete Indien
Farmington Road
Mr. Monomoy
Silver State
Thanks!
Doug (@possumtariat)
$30 from me please.
A
Enforceable
Independence Hall
Tiz The Law
B
Ajaaweed
Dennis’ Moment
Gold Street
Sole Volante
C
Azul Coast
Ete Indian
Farmington Road
Mr. Monomoy
Silver State
Sorry, if this actually a duplicate, my first attempt to post send to have vanished.
Thanks!
Doug (@possumtariat)
I’m in for $25.
A
Tiz the Law
Shoplifted
Thousand Words
B
Dennis’ Moment
Eight Rings
Authentic
Gold Street
C
Blackberry Wine
Invader
Honor A. P.
Structor
Tizamagician
– K.Jones (@ThePuckHag)
I’m good for $40
Group A:
Enforceable
Tiz the Law
Anneau d’Or
Group B:
Dennis’ Moment
Maxfield
Gold Street
Authentic
Group C:
Gouveneur Morris
Fore Left
Toledo
Green Light Go
Silver State
Best time of year!
Thanks for doing this.
$50
A: Tiz the Law
Thousand Words
Anneau d’Or
B: Authentic
Dennis’ Moment
Gold Street
Scabbard
C: Basin
Ete Indien
Gouverner Morris
Nadal
Three Technique
A:
Anneau d’Or
Enforceable
Thousand Words
B:
Authentic
Dennis’ Moment
Eight Rings
Sole Volante
C:
Ancient Warrior
Basin
Nadal
Silver State
Structor
Pledge $50, $100 if I win
$50
Tiz The Law
Anneau D’Or
Thousand Words
Authentic
Dennis Moment
Gold Street
Sole Volante
Nadal
Spice Is Nice
Silver State
Structor
Great Power
Group D horse: Modernist
Group E horse: Charlatan
Posting on behalf of Joe Clancy:
Group D: Modernist
Group E: Charlatan
Honor AP and Maxfield as my adds. thank you.
Group D: Modernist
Group E: Chestertown
Posting on behalf of Hot Scot Racing Stable
D Ete Indien
E Charlatan
I’m not in last place! It’s a miracle!
Group D Horse: Modernist
Group E Horse: Basin
Group D. Mischievous Alex
Group E. Charlatan
• Group D – Thousand Words
• Group E – Chestertown
Group D: Honor A. P.
Group E: Charlatan
D: Major Fed
E: Maxfield
Posting on behalf of Doug:
D: Nadal, E: Charlatan
Group D: Modernist
Group E: Chestertown
Stay safe all!
Robert
D: Tiz the Law
E: Charlatan
Stay safe everyone.
Group D: Mischevious Alex
Group E: Basin
D: Major Fed
E: Charlatan
One more time with feeling and continued apologies for all the emails and post misfires and…
D. Honor AP
E. Sharecropper
good health and good wishes, everybody