via www.businesscartoons.co.uk

Thanks to the addition of so many contests over at twinspires.com, my brother and I have been in full NHC practice mode for some months now.  Sadly, no contest site anywhere thought to take advantage of 14, count 'em, 14 stakes races on this Memorial Day, which means we get the chance here at The Stretch to practice on our own.  I've chosen to use the 11 races that the site's proprietor, Matt, mentioned in his weekend preview from a few days ago.

 Today's contest races:

Leg 1 - Lone Star 4, Ouija Board Distaff Stakes, Grade III (Turf), Post: 3:59 EST

Leg 2 - Lone Star 6, Dalllas Turf Cup Stakes, 150K (Turf), PostL 4:55 EST

Leg 3 - Churchill Downs 9, Winning Colors Stakes, Grade III, Post: 4:59 EST

Leg 4 - Belmont 9, Sands Point Stakes, Grade II (Turf), Post: 5:16 EST

Leg 5 - Monmouth 11, Violet Stakes, Grade III (Turf), Post: 5:33 EST

Leg 6 - Belmont 10, Metropolitan Handicap, Grade I, Post: 5:49 EST

Leg 7 - Lone Star 8, Lone Star Derby, 200K, (Turf), Post: 5:51 EST

Leg 8 - Lone Star 9, Lone Star Park Handicap, Grade III, Post: 6:19 EST

Leg 9 - Golden Gate 8, Berkeley Stakes, Grade III, Post: 7:25 EST

Leg 10 - Hollywood 8, Los Angeles Handicap, Grade III, Post: 7:41 EST

Leg 11 - Hollywood 9, Gamely Stakes, Grade I, Post: 8:11 EST

As we remember the deeds and sacrifices of our armed forces today, we are employing the standard NHC Qualifier rules.  Players make a mythical $2 Win and $2 Place wager on a single horse per entry.  Highest total after the eleven races is the winner, and payouts are capped at 20-1 for win, and 10-1 for place.  You may play a maximum of three entries.  Put your picks for each race in the comments section prior to the race going off.

My personal goal for winning a tournament of this type - online, all mandatory races - would be a total of $110, so if you hit that number, know that you have done pretty well.

Good Luck!