Season 23 is this year’s last go-round, so let’s make it count, shall we?
To ensure we end the year with a bang, we’re thrilled to unveil a series of updates designed to enhance entertainment, playability, and, most importantly, competition on the tracks.
With extended breeding windows, revamped race formats, and new streaming initiatives, this season aims to set the stage for a monumental 2025 in Photo Finish™.
Here’s the high-level need-to-know about what new changes will come in Season 23.
Twitter Spaces
Want to hear the audio version of what’s new in Season 23? Ryan and Bryce will review all the changes on Twitter Spaces this Monday, December 16, at 9:00 a.m.
Click here to listen to the show.
BREEDING NEWS
Many asked, and we listened – The breeding window has been extended to 2 weeks, effective immediately.
This change offers more flexibility, allowing you to plan and strategize without the time crunch of a single-week deadline. With Christmas falling in the middle of week two, this adjustment ensures you can enjoy the holiday season with loved ones while keeping your racing ambitions on track.
STREAMER NEWS
Streamer-hosted races now come with exciting perks:
- Lower Entry Fees: Enjoy a 10% discount on entry fees across all race types (excluding freerolls).
- Enhanced Prize Pools: 10% of the WIN picks pool will now be allocated directly to the race, boosting payouts based on participation.
- Expanded Entries: Streamed races can now accommodate up to 14 entrants, up from 12.
Saddle Up Sunday! Introducing Saddle Up Sunday, a new weekly stream every Sunday from 2 PM to 4 PM ET during the first three Sundays of the season. This stream focuses on claimer races, offering valuable insights for new players on navigating claiming races and the leaderboard.
Monday Mayhem Doughboy takes a well-deserved break this season, with MoKnowz stepping in to host Monday Mayhem.
Tuesday After Dark Tuesday After Dark takes a one-month hiatus but will return with more excitement next season.
RACING CHANGES
Claiming Race Enhancements
- Leaderboard Rewards: The claiming races leaderboard now awards $200 in Crown to the top 50 spots, with proportional tie payouts.
- Juvenile Claimers: Available from Day 4, offering opportunities for younger horses to shine.
- Capped Claimers: Maximum claim level set at 15k Derby, with races of all levels available.
Non-Winner of 2 (NW2) Races
Winning a NW claimer race COUNTS towards your claiming wins on the seasonal leaderboard in your quest to a $200 spot!
- Races are available at 400, 800, and 1200 $DERBY entry fees.
- Crown allocation included giving seldom-used horses a chance to compete.
Kingmaker Series Revamp The Kingmaker weekly series transitions to a monthly “Win & In” format, featuring:
- 18 Qualifying Races with the highest Crown allocations.
- Finale Events: Separate races for Juvenile and 3+ horses, with substantial Crown prizes.
- Sponsorship: The LT 3+ series is sponsored by Crypto Tax Made Easy, offering $333 USDC in each finale race.
Juvenile Grade Restricted Qualifiers
- Start a week earlier this season (Monday of week two) and run until the season’s final Friday.
- All finals will take place on the last Sunday.
Allowance Leaderboard
- New Rewards: $200 in Crown for the top 30 spots.
- Eligibility: All allowance races contribute to this leaderboard (the leaderboard may not be live on Day 1, but all allowance races will count).
Green Grade Adjustments Entry fees for A+/A/A- Grade Restricted races are reduced, encouraging broader participation and balancing risk vs. reward.
Crown Utilization Adjustments
- Higher allocations for Grade Restricted Stakes and the new Kingmaker series.
- NW2 Claimer races now include Crown incentives to promote frequent racing
MISCELLANEOUS UPDATES
- Maximum Entrants Expanded: Races for horses aged 6-8 can now have up to 16 participants.
- Handicap Races Removed: These race types have been retired.
- Enduro Cup Introduced: This high-stakes RD 12f race will serve as an undercard to the Third Time Championship, featuring $500 in additional prize money.
- Race Reduction: Total races decreased by 11%, with fewer races offering Crown allocations. Maidens & Benchmark Allowances no longer include Crown prizes.
