Trying to create the web's best horse racing site without a horse racing forum has proven as difficult as winning the Triple Crown.

We never got a forum community off the ground at TurfnSport.com, but we have concluded we need one to give members a place to hang out, ask questions, drop hints and racing tips.

So, we decided we would go acquire one.

We decided on TrackChampion.com, a place where I have posted for years and which traditionally boasts a nice assortment of veteran and newbie horse fans. The result at TrackChampion.com has been a loyal following since 2003, where free online horse racing contests are one of the site's biggest draws.

So, we have decided to build upon the synergies and linkages between these two quality sites. All your handicapping tutorial, current horse news and other betting information like picks from myself, Brian Mulligan, Joe Kristufek, Rich Crew and Todd Kearns remains here.

The forum community, where horseplayers from around the country and beyond gather to talk shop, offer advice and horse racing tips, will reside at TrackChampion.com.

Ditto the cool and engaging contests, sponsored by Bodog.com's racebook.

Bodog.com gave away $500 in prize money April 14 in the Derby Prep Challenge and will be doing the same thing with a Kentucky Derby contest, a Preakness Stakes contest and finally a Belmont Stakes contest.

The top nine finishers in each event pocket cash in the form of account credits at Bodog.com's stylish online racebook.

So we are inviting our loyal TurfnSport.com players to check out the forum at TrackChampion.com, while at the same time, we invite their membership to come to TurfnSport.com for their news and handicapping and pick sales.

The result of the effort should be a larger, more diverse community of horseplayers who can contribute to the value of both sites.

Bigger isn't always better (although you might get an argument from the ladies on that one), but we believe it's definitely 'the more, the merrier.' More posters and more members equals more information, more insights and more eyes and ears at tracks around the country.

That should translate into more wins at the track for everyone!

So check out the forum at TrackChampion.com. Introduce yourself as a TurfnSport.com regular, read some posts, make some posts and join with the community there.

Good luck!