by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Maywood Park

Melrose Park, IL — Maywood Park is getting ready to host the first of six winter handicapping contests on Friday (Jan. 3). A total of $12,000 in cash prizes will be awarded with 15 spots guaranteed nightly with a top prize of $1,000 in each contest.

Handicappers may have a little extra work if Mother Nature refuses to cooperate. In the event the Meadowlands is forced to cancel their Friday card, Cal Expo will be the contest track for the Jan. 3 contest.

All six contests will be held the first three weekends of January. All three Friday contests, Jan. 3, 10 and 17 will be conducted at Maywood Park Racetrack. The three Saturday contests will be at three different Illinois OTB locations, Jan. 4 at Crestwood OTB, Jan. 11 at Lucky Magee’s OTB in Niles and the final contest will be offered on Jan. 18 at the Oak Brook Terrace OTB.

All six contests will be conducted with the Meadowlands as the host track. In the event The Big M is cancelled, a substitute racetrack will be offered for the contest. Entry is free with a $10 purchase which this Friday includes a simulcast program, a $6 food and beverage ticket and two free admissions to Maywood Park’s live program.

Check in for each of the six contests will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Players will receive a mythical $2,000 bankroll and each of the tournament contestants will be given five designated races to make a mythical $200 win and place wager on a horse. Cash prizes will be awarded after the contest.