BALNIKHOV (IRE) RUNS IN THE CALIFORNIA CROWN JOHN HENRY TURF TO CONTINUE QUEST FOR THE $2.5 MILLION 1/ST GRAND 3 TURF BONUS

Arcadia, CA (September 26, 2024) – 1/ST, the innovative brand behind North America’s most prestigious Thoroughbred horse racing, entertainment and wagering events, announces that contest entries for the $5 million 1/ST GRAND 3 Pick ‘Em Challenge have reopened for fans to make their selections in The California Crown (GI).

The 1/ST GRAND 3 Pick ‘Em Challenge opened today, September 26, at 12:00 p.m. ET and will close at 7:40 p.m. ET on September 28, prior to the post time for The California Crown. Fans can register and submit their picks for free at www.1st.com/contest.

Five entries who correctly submitted the top four finishers from Preakness 149 (GI), remain eligible for the $5 million-dollar grand prize. The $5 million grand prize will only be awarded if one of the five remaining entries pick the top four finishers in order of The California Crown and 2025 Pegasus World Cup (GI).

If the $5 million grand prize is not awarded, a $100,000 guaranteed consolation prize will be awarded to the entry with the most points over the series. Fans who did not enter to play in the Preakness leg of the contest may still earn enough points to win the $100,000 consolation prize pending the results of The California Crown and 2025 Pegasus World Cup.

The California Crown will be broadcast live on CNBC and Peacock from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET on race day, Saturday, September 28.

Balnikhov (IRE), winner of the Dinner Party Stakes (GIII) on the Preakness undercard is entered in The California Crown John Henry Turf (GII) presented by 1/ST BET and remains the only horse in contention for the $2.5 million turf bonus awarded to the winner of the Dinner Party Stakes, California Crown John Henry Turf and 2025 Pegasus World Cup Turf (GII). Balnikhov is owned by Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables LLC and Old Bones Racing Stable, LLC.

The 1/ST GRAND 3 Pick ‘Em Challenge is part of 1/ST’s $25 million racing and incentive series connecting 1/ST’s premier events and iconic venues in California, Florida and Maryland. Preakness 149, The California Crown and 2025 Pegasus World Cup feature more than $12.5 million in elevated purses and $7.5 million in incentives for both dirt and turf participants.

For contest and entry rules, please visit www.1st.com/contest.

To stay connected on The California Crown, visit @californiacrownofficial on Instagram, TikTok and @Calicrownofficial on X.

1/ST GRAND 3 Pick ‘Em Abbreviated Rules: NO ADDITIONAL PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited by law. This Promotion is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least 18 years of age or the age of majority in their state of permanent residence, whichever is older, at the time of entry. Promotion begins May 15, 2024, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time (“ET”) and ends May 18, 2024, at 6:55 PM ET for Preakness Stakes picks, then reopens September 26, 2024, at 12:00 PM ET and ends September 28, 2024, at 7:40 PM ET for California Crown picks, and then reopens January 21, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET and ends January 25, 2025, at 5:30 PM ET for Pegasus World Cup Dirt picks. Closing times listed are approximate and subject to change based on racing schedule. To enter, go to www.1st.com/contest to place your selections of the top four finishers in each respective race (2024 Preakness Stakes, 2024 California Crown, and 2025 Pegasus World Cup Dirt). Grand Prize of $5,000,000, and Secondary Prize of $100,000 (if no Grand Prize is awarded). $5,000,000 (to be paid via annuity). In the event that the average field size for the three respective races (2024 Preakness Stakes, 2024 California Crown, and 2025 Pegasus World Cup Dirt) is less than eight (meaning that the total aggregate of the starters of the three races is less than 24), then the prize Insured herein shall be halved (meaning a $2,500,000 annuity, or cash amount of $1,250,000). Odds of winning are based on the number of eligible entries received and timing of submissions. For complete rules and eligibility requirements go to www.1st.com/contest or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Sponsor at Pick ‘Em Challenge Contest c/o Neil Johnson, 5201 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by Facebook, Inc., Twitter, Inc., Instagram, Inc., or NBC Sports/NBCUniversal Media LLC.

About The Stronach Group and 1/ST
The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business (pronounced “First”) is North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, The Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group’s TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland).
For more information, visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.