Tampa's 'Live It Up Challenge' Begins Jan. 18

One of Tampa Bay Downs' most popular promotions, the "Live It Up Challenge" online handicapping contest, begins Saturday and runs through March 8, the date of the 45th running of the Grade III, $400,000 Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby. There is no cost to enter. The registration deadline is Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Players can visit www.liveitupchallenge.com to register. Prizes will be awarded to the four players with the highest bankrolls who are still active in the contest upon its conclusion on March 8. The winner receives two seats at the 2026 High Rollers Contest at Tampa Bay Downs (a $2,000 value), which will be held in February of 2026. The second, third and fourth-place winners each receive one seat at the 2026 High Rollers Contest, a $1,000 value. A bonus prize of $500 will be given to the player selecting the most winners throughout the contest. Here is how the contest works: "Live It Up Challenge" players are required to select one horse in two of each day's three randomly selected "Challenge Races." Each player's bankroll increases by the win, place and show prices on a mythical $2 across-the-board wager on their selection. So, if a horse pays $12 to win, $6.40 to place and $4.80 to show, their bankroll grows by $23.20. If a player's selection in one of the day's "Challenge Races" does not hit the board, the player loses a lifeline. If both of their selections fail to hit the board on a given day, the player is eliminated from contention. Lifelines are vital to a player's "survival" in a contest of this duration. Players begin the "Live It Up Challenge" with one free lifeline and one free pass. Additional lifelines may be purchased on the following schedule: Up to eight lifelines can be purchased at $5 each upon signup; up to eight can be purchased on Friday, Jan. 31 for $10 each; and up to four can be purchased on Friday, Feb. 14 for $25 each. Players must be alive in the contest to purchase the additional lifelines. In the event all players are eliminated before the end of the contest, those with the highest bankrolls will receive the top four prizes. A player does not have to be alive in the contest to take home the "most winners" bonus prize. If a player's selection is scratched in any "Challenge Race," they may make another selection. If they do not make another selection, they are automatically assigned the post-time favorite. The "Live It Up Challenge' is a great vehicle to test your handicapping and lifeline-managements skills and vie for a fantastic reward. For more details, visit the website.