Breeders' Cup Launches Fantasy 'Capping

The Breeders’ Cup, in collaboration with Thoroughbred leadership group Vision 2020, announced today the launch of Fantasy ‘Capping, a free-to-play online fantasy game that spotlights 12 of North America’s biggest horse races leading up to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. The game concludes with the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday, November 3 at Santa Anita Park.

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 small, competitive leagues. Those that want to take on outsiders also have the option of 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 cash, to iPads to Breeders’ Cup merchandise. The concept for the game was developed and tested in 2011 by Vision 2020 and 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.

Each week, Fantasy ‘Capping players will be provided the information needed to handicap that Saturday’s race, including a write-up of contenders, a history of the track and race, race past performances and links to outside 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 Saturday’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. 

“Fantasy ‘Capping provides fans and newcomers an engaging environment to compete against their friends on the road to the Breeders’ Cup, while familiarizing themselves with the racetracks and personalities that make our sport so exciting,” said Justin McDonald, Sr. Director of Marketing & Digital Media for the Breeders’ Cup. “We are thrilled to be able to build upon the concept developed by Vision 2020 and share their desire to attract a new, younger fan base to our sport.”

Registration is now open at www.fantasycapping.com and will remain open up until the start of the Breeders’ Cup on November 2. The Fantasy ‘Capping season officially starts with the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga on August 4, but fans can create or join a league at any time before registration closes on November 2.

“We all know what a great sport we have, but we also know it can be intimidating at first for those who don’t have a background in horse racing. For that reason, Vision 2020 set out to design a fantasy game that would be simple enough to attract new fans to the sport while also exciting enough to keep their interest week by week,” said Bret Jones, Breeders’ Cup Director and a steering committee member of Vision 2020. “The Breeders’ Cup took this concept and ran with it, and they should be applauded for working hard to attract the new, youthful fans that our sport so desperately needs.”

Fantasy ‘Capping Schedule

Week 1 The Whitney Handicap* Aug. 4 Saratoga Race Course

Week 2 The Fourstardave Handicap Aug.11 Saratoga Race Course

Week 3 The Alabama Stakes Aug. 18 Saratoga Race Course

Week 4 The Travers Stakes Aug. 25 Saratoga Race Course

Week 5 The Woodward States Sept. 1 Saratoga Race Course

Week 6 The Super Derby Sept. 8 Louisiana Downs

Week 7 The Summer Stakes Sept. 15 Woodbine

Week 8 The Pennsylvania Derby Sept. 22 Parx

Week 9 The Awesome Again Stakes* Sept. 29 Santa Anita Park

Week 10 The Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity* Oct. 6 Keeneland

Week 11 The QE II Challenge Cup Oct. 13 Keeneland

Week 12 The Raven Run Stakes Oct. 20 Keeneland

Week 13 BYE WEEK Oct. 27 BYE WEEK

Playoffs Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic Nov. 2 Santa Anita Park

Playoffs Breeders’ Cup Classic Nov. 3 Santa Anita Park

* Indicates a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race.

Fantasy ‘Capping was developed by Salted Stone, a digital agency in Monrovia, Calif., and is compatible with web browsers and mobile devices.

The Breeders’ Cup, Thoroughbred racing’s most prestigious global event, consists of 15 races and more than $25 million in purses. This year’s event will be held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., on November 2-3 and will be televised live on the NBC Sports Network. The $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic will be televised in primetime on NBC at 8 p.m. ET on Nov 3.