Beat Byk Online NHC Challenge

July 10 – September 1

Official Rules

  • Steve Byk will pick a horse in one stakes race every Saturday and Sunday, and on Monday, September 1 during the promotional period (every weekend beginning July 10 through September 1). Each Thursday throughout the promotion, Byk will select the weekend stakes races and announce them on At the Races and on his twitter page, @Steve_Byk, for a chance to qualify to the Beat Byk NHC Online Qualifier held on September 13. Byk’s selections will be announced no later than each Friday. There will be 17 chances to qualify to the Beat Byk NHC Online Qualifier during this promotional period.
  • There will be a Byk alternate selection in the case his horse scratches. The alternate will be designated Byk’s pick if his first selection scratches.
  • Participants can go to https://www.ntra.com/beatbyk/ where they may use Byk’s selection to win the featured race or try to beat Byk by selecting another horse.
  • Participants who select the winning horse (either using Byk’s selection or by beating Byk) will advance to the September 13 Beat Byk Challenge Online Qualifier. Participants can win ONE entry into the September 13 NHC online qualifier awarding the NHC prize package.
  • Points will be calculated for alternate prizes in the Beat Byk Challenge. Participants will receive 100 points if they beat Byk and 50 points if they bet with Byk to win the featured race. The top 5-point leaders will receive HorsePlayers.com credits as prizes (1st place – $500 HP credit, 2nd place -$350 HP credit, 3rd place – $250 HP credit, 4th place – $150 HP credit, 5th place – $100 HP credit).
  • TIEBREAKER: In the event of a tie of a top 5 finishing position for the HorsePlayers.com credits, the following tie-breaker procedure will be instituted.
    1. The individual selecting the most winners that beat Byk will be declared a prize winner.
    2. If a tie still exists following the initial tiebreaking procedure, the top finisher with the highest cumulative bankroll of the pari-mutuel payoffs will be declared a prize winner.
    3. If a tie still exists following the initial two tiebreaking procedures, there will be a coin toss to determine the prize winner.
  • You may submit your selection up until the scheduled post time of the selected race. Each form will be time stamped. You may make changes to your selections; however, you will need to submit your name and email again with your updated pick. If your selection scratches and you fail to change your pick, you will automatically receive Steve’s Byk’s selection.
  • Anyone making or changing a selection after the scheduled post time will be disqualified.
  • NHC Tour membership is required to compete in the September 13 Beat Byk NHC Online Qualifier. Anyone who “Beats Byk” in any of the weekly contests and is not a 2025 NHC Tour member will be able to join the 2024 NHC Tour for a special offer of only $10 (membership good through February 22, 2025). Those who “Bet with Byk” and win a spot in the NHC online qualifier by picking the winner will be required to join the Tour ($50 annual membership good through February 22, 2025) to be eligible to win the NHC spot. Memberships may not be transferred to the 2026-2027 NHC Tour.
  • The winner or the highest ranking NHC Tour member of the Beat Byk Online Qualifier on September 13 will represent At the Races at the 2026 NTRA National Horseplayers Championship (NHC). In addition to earning a berth at the NHC, the eligible winner of the Beat Byk Challenge will win an airfare reimbursement of $500 and a four-night complimentary stay at Horseshoe Las Vegas, the official host site of the 2026 NHC.
  • Participants who qualify for the September 13 Beat Byk NHC Online Qualifier will receive information on how to register for the online qualifier prior to September 13.
  • The NHC prize package winner will be announced after a 48-hour audit period.
  • The winner of the NHC will win an estimated $800,000 and an Eclipse Award as the Horseplayer of the Year.
  • No purchase necessary. A secondary prize of $250 cash will be available to the overall winner if he or she is not an NHC Tour member.