Fantasy 'Capping returns for 2014 Breeders' Cup

The Breeders' Cup, in collaboration with Thoroughbred

leadership group Vision 2020, announced Wednesday the third season of Fantasy 'Capping, a free-to-play online fantasy game that spotlights 14 of North

America's biggest horse races leading up to the Breeders' Cup World

Championships. The game concludes on October 5, with the winner receiving an

all-expense paid, VIP trip to the 2014 Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita Park.

New for 2014, the Daily Racing Form has been named

presenting sponsor and will offer fans the opportunity to play in leagues

against top DRF handicappers Matt Bernier, Peter Fornatale, Dan Illman and Mike

Watchmaker for a chance to win additional prizes and bragging rights.

Like the successful fantasy models employed by professional

football and baseball, Fantasy 'Capping is designed to spur competition by

allowing participants to compete against friends in private leagues or to take

on other racing fans by joining public leagues. While individual league prizes

will be left up to league members to decide, a global leader board will keep

track of the top Fantasy 'Cappers in the country and reward them with everything

from a VIP trip to the 2014 Breeders' Cup to an iPad to Breeders' Cup

merchandise.

The game is designed to help attract new fans to the sport by

providing them with a fun, simple and stimulating way to follow the biggest

races in America on a weekly basis.

"The game provides a simple, easy and fun way for horseplayers to get their

friends involved with horse racing which we believe is a critical component to

growing interest in our sport," Breeders' Cup President and CEO Craig Fravel

said.

Each week, players will be provided the information needed

to handicap that week's race, including a write-up of contenders, a history of

the track and race, race past performances and links to articles pertaining to

the race. Using that information, contestants will have the opportunity to place

one of four "Fantasy Wagers" on the featured race: $20 to win, $20 to place, $20

to show or a $10 exacta box ($20 total). Total "Fantasy Earnings" within the

game are determined by the actual race results and payouts.

Following the

conclusion of each week's race, participants will receive an email link to watch

the race replay in case they were unable to view it live. League standings and

the global leader board will be updated immediately once the race is pronounced

official.

Registration is now open at

fantasycapping.com and will remain open up until the October 5. The

Fantasy 'Capping season officially starts with the Grade 1, $300,000 Eddie Read at Del Mar on July

20, but fans can create or join a league at any time before registration closes

on October 5.

Fantasy 'Capping was developed by Salted Stone, a digital

agency in Monrovia, California, and is compatible with web browsers and mobile

devices.

2014 Fantasy 'Capping Schedule

* Indicates a Breeders' Cup Challenge race