PhotoFinish Live is known for its massive freeroll events, which provide several ways for stables of all sizes to potentially hit a massive payday!
Before we dive into each of them and the details around them, it’s important to know that you can go into the schedule anytime, click on the Freerolls button, scroll ahead to see what free roll events are coming up, and make sure you know how to qualify for them.
Major Races
The Major Races are the spotlight events of the season in Photo Finish™ LIVE, with 4 Major events available. Each archetype (turn/track) has its own set of races, which run at 5f, 8f, and 10f, giving you three Major Races per archetype.
Payouts: Each Major Race offers a huge payout of $10,000 USD per race!
How to Qualify:
- Major Races are exclusive to 3-year-old horses.
- Qualifying races run from Day 1 through Day 21 of the season.
- After qualifying, ensure you register for the Major Race once the registration opens, even if you are close to the cutoff—others may not register.
Series Overview:
Click here to access the Series Races quickfilter at Photo Finish Live to access all qualifiers, leaderboards, and race information.
Undercards: Each Major Race is accompanied by 4 undercard races paid out in Crown. Season 20 saw an equivalent of ~$18,500 USD, though this can vary with Crown prices. The undercards feature two 90-max benchmark races and two 70-max benchmark races. To qualify, your horse must have competed in at least 10 benchmark races throughout the season.
Grade Restricted Championships
Synopsis: These championships include 6f and 10f races for all grades (A- to S+). They run every month and consist of the 3+ Series and Juvenile Series.
- 3+ Series: Qualifying occurs during the first 14 days of the season, and championships take place in Week 3.
- Juvenile Series: Qualifying runs from Day 15 to Day 26, with the championship races happening during a 12-hour stretch on the final day of the season.
Payouts:
- 3+ Series has a $41,050 prize pool.
- Juvenile Series has a $20,504 prize pool, with a 50% increase in prize pools as the grades go up.
How to Qualify:
- Compete in Grade Restricted Stakes against horses in your grade.
- After qualifying, register for the championships when the window opens, even if you’re close to the cutoff.
Silver Stakes
Synopsis: This series is for senior horses (6 years old and above). It features A- to S+ allowance races, ensuring every horse has a path to victory. Each archetype offers two races, rotating weather and distance each season.
Payouts: Season 20 targeted a payout of ~$6,000 in Crown.
There is a 50% increase in prize pools as the grades go up.
How to Qualify: Eligibility is based on L28 earnings. It’s crucial to keep your horse racing and earning on the track.
Timing:Beginning in Season 21, these events will occur on the final Thursday of the season
Kentucky Oaks
Synopsis: Each archetype has a single Kentucky Oaks event each season.
Payouts: Like the Silver Stakes, the Kentucky Oaks has a targeted payout of ~$6,000 in Crown.
How to Qualify: Eligibility is based on L28 earnings for female horses aged 4+. Ensure your horses remain active on the track.
Timing:
These events are held on the second Saturday of the season.
Kingmaker Freerolls
Synopsis: A weekly series where the top horses compete in the highest-stakes races. There are separate races for the 3+ Series and the Juvenile Series.
Payouts:
- 3+ Series offers ~$1,000 in Crown for each of the four races.
- Juvenile Series offers ~$700 in Crown for each of the four races.
How to Qualify: Horses must have competed in at least 3 G2/3 races in the previous 8 days. After that, the selection committee uses L28 earnings to determine eligibility.
Timing:
Kingmaker Freerolls are held on Mondays during Weeks 2-4 and are streamed live.
Lineage Cup (Begins Season 25)
Synopsis: This series celebrates the most prolific offspring in Photo Finish™ LIVE. Eligibility is established when a horse is first bred, with races occurring 4 seasons later.
Payouts:
- Premier races will offer 8,000 Crown each.
- Undercard races will offer 2,500 Crown each.
How to Qualify:
- Premier races are for horses bred for at least 24k Derby.
- Undercards are for horses bred for at least 8k Derby.
- Selection committee bases qualifications on L28 earnings.
Timing:
The first event is scheduled for the final Thursday of Season 25.
Rookie Rally
Synopsis: A freeroll event for new stables featuring juveniles and 3+ races. Horses can be raced throughout the season, with this event providing a fun financial boost at the end of the season. Beginning in Season 11, races are A- to S+ allowance.
Payouts: The prize pool consists of 250 Crown and 12,000 Derby.
How to Qualify: Your stable must be new, and you must own your horse. Loaned horses are not eligible.
Timing:
Rookie Rally runs on the final Thursday of the season.
Pick-Em Champions
Synopsis: Weekly Pick-Em winners, overall champions, and guest handicappers take part in a final-day freeroll race.
Payouts: The freeroll race offers a 200 Crown prize pool. Free horses are won weekly.
How to Qualify: Winners of the Pick-Em Contests throughout the season are automatically entered. The seasonal Pick-Em leader is also included.
Seasonal Claiming Contest
Synopsis: Finish the season owning a horse in the top 20 leaderboard for claiming races, and you’ll be rewarded!
Payouts: Top 20 owners win $300 worth of Crown per horse. Tied horses will split the prize pool.
How to Qualify: Ensure your horse finishes in the top 20 for claiming race wins.