Thanks for posting this notice Cal. You're correct that this is a very tough contest and it can wear you out. Since it is not an elimination contest, you can keep plugging away no matter how poorly the first week or two goes. I find that as I fall further and further back in the standings, I will try more and more for that price play that will instantaneously catapult me back into contention (there is a 25-1 cap). That hasn't worked out so far.
I'll often start out by "Dutching" the contest race, placing, say, $55 to win on one pick and $45 to win on another. That gives me at least the illusion that I'm not doing a bad job of handicapping.
With Del Mar merchandise prizes awarded to the top 50, it only takes one or two price horses to get into a prize position.
It is worth noting that unlike our ROI, if you have a losing wager, it will be subtracted from your total, so negative scores are possible.