It’s down to the wire time in the Xpressbet ‘Fun in the Sun’ handicapping tournament. Saturday’s seventh weekly qualifying round gives way to the Final Table 48 hours later in what promises to be an exciting clash for Saratoga and Del Mar horseplayers.

The contest’s progressive jackpot now stands at $14,350 with 30 of 35 available seats for the Final Table now set for Labor Day.

Andy Muhlada led all contestants last week with a $191.50 mutuel total on his 10 total contest plays at Saratoga and Del Mar. He earned the $924 weekly top prize. George Chute was second ($177.50, earned $385 in prizes) and Shoko Mizumoto was third ($174.50 earned, $231 in prizes). Among the top-5, which all earned Final Table berths, were Jack Shinar ($163.50) and Paul Jannis ($151). Jannis became a dual-qualifier for the Final Table, having placed fourth during Week 1 as well. He joins Dennis Desenberg and Lawrence Kahlden among a select group so far to earn two berths this season.

Fun in the Sun challenges bettors to make $10 Win bets on 5 specified contest races each at Saratoga (last 5 races on the card) and Del Mar (first 5 races on the card). Players compete each week for cash prizes, plus a coveted seat at the $10,000-added Final Table on Labor Day.

Last season, Gordon Maruya was the runaway winner of the $15,782 final table in the FITS competition and bagged $8,680 in prize money. It was Maruya’s third final table appearance (also qualifying in 2021 and 2023).
The Final Table format was created in 2020 and its winners have included Robert Rosen (2020), Wayne Tam (2021), Kevin Saunders (2022), Joe Tambasco (2023) and Gordon Maruya (2024).

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2025 Tournament Dates
Saturday, July 19, 26
Saturday, August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Monday, September 1 (Final Table)

Buy-In
$125 Buy-In per week, split between $100 Bankroll + $25 Entry Fee

How to Play
Tournament consists of the last five (5) races each Saturday at Saratoga and the first five (5) races each Saturday at Del Mar
Players must make a $10 Win bet on one (1) horse in each race via the Contest Wagerpad

Weekly Prize Pool
70% of Entry Fees are paid out each week as the Weekly Prize Pool

Weekly Prizes
Top Five (5) finishers each week automatically qualify for the Final Table
1st Place Finisher – 60% of Weekly Prize Pool + Final Table Seat
2nd Place Finisher – 25% of Weekly Prize Pool + Final Table Seat
3rd Place Finisher – 15% of Weekly Prize Pool + Final Table Seat
4th Place Finisher – Final Table Seat
5th Place Finisher – Final Table Seat

Final Table Prizes
30% of Entry Fees carried over to the Final Table
$10,000-added prize pool courtesy of Xpressbet
1st Place Finisher: 55% of Final Table Prize Pool
2nd Place Finisher: 25% of Final Table Prize Pool
3rd Place Finisher: 10% of Final Table Prize Pool
4th Place Finisher: 5% of Final Table Prize Pool
5th Place Finisher: 5% of Final Table Prize Pool