The 19th annual Xpressbet Beat the Host free handicapping contest returns to its weekly lineup spot Saturdays throughout January and February. Along with several of the top handicappers across the 1/ST family, the 2024 lineup of hosts to topple will include new additions like Gulfstream Park track announcer Pete Aiello as well as Frank Mirahmadi, the voice of Santa Anita Park.

Eight contest weeks challenge horseplayers to out-earn our hand-picked hosts in a series of 10 parimutuel win bets ($5 each) at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita. Those able to Beat the Host bankroll total at least once in any contest week will earn their way to the BTH Championship Round on March 9 and play for approximately $60,000 in weekly and seasonal prizes.

Here is the 2024 host run-down:

Saturday, January 6 - Pete Aiello
Saturday, January 13 - Millie Ball
Saturday, January 20 - Tom Quigley
Saturday, January 27 - Jeff Siegel
Saturday, February 3 - Brian Nadeau
Saturday, February 10 - Frank Mirahmadi
Saturday, February 17 - Jeremy Plonk
Saturday, February 24 - Eddie Olczyk

Also new this year: The weekly Beat the Host competition races will be the final five at Gulfstream Park and first five at Santa Anita each week, taking away the hosts' previous advantage of picking their own races. It also allows contest players more time to handicap in advance.

Last year’s Beat the Host competition saw 664 horseplayers earn their way to the Championship Round, which was won by Andy Muhlada.

Weekly cash prizes total $2000 each Saturday with Pegasus World Cup Betting Championship and 1/ST Ultimate Betting Challenge seats valued at $6,000 each among the season standings prizes. Lucrative tournament seats also are on the line in the Beat The Host Championship Round as well as a potential $6,500 Sweep the Host bonus shared among players who defeat the hosts’ totals in each of the 8 weeks.

Last season, Thomas Bassett was the lone player to take down all 8 hosts and earned the full $6,500 Sweep the Host prize. Bassett also won the season leaderboard bankroll chase at $571 accrued. Watch his reaction here. 

Registration is open for Saturday’s opening week of Xpressbet Beat the Host. To sign up free and get more information, visit the Tournament page.