button in SafariBattle for Biggest-Ever Kentucky Prize Pool Resumes at The Barrel
After setting records during the first-ever 2026 RGPS Golden Expedition Kentucky series, the final 74 players will return to The Barrel Social Club today to determine a champion in the $800 Main Event.
The tournament saw a total of 606 entries across six opening flights, creating the largest prize pool in Kentucky poker history at $424,200. That record purse will be up for grabs when action resumes at 12:15 p.m. local time, where one survivor will earn the coveted RGPS ring in the Labor Day finale.
The remaining field is looking up at Frank Covich, who was the only player to bag up more than 20 starting stacks to grab the overall lead on Day 1e. Marlon Brown (581,000) came the closest from the rest of the field, topping the final flight to sit second overall.
Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frank Covich | United States | 630,000 | 105 |
| 2 | Marlon Brown | United States | 581,000 | 97 |
| 3 | David Yue | United States | 517,000 | 86 |
| 4 | Michial Drake | United States | 507,000 | 85 |
| 5 | Billy Vandergriff | United States | 482,000 | 80 |
| 6 | Joel Cocanougher | United States | 457,000 | 76 |
| 7 | Ryan Appleberry | United States | 424,000 | 71 |
| 8 | Christopher Borinsky | United States | 415,000 | 69 |
| 9 | Eric Cunningham | United States | 412,000 | 69 |
| 10 | Maxx Dansky | United States | 405,000 | 68 |
The Day 2 field will include a number of familiar faces, including a trio of RunGood Ambassadors looking to make a deep run today. That group is led by Preston McEwen (269,000), who earned his bag on Day 1b.
Reigning RGPS Player of the Year Craig Welko (249,000) will return with a healthy stack, joined by fellow ambassador Heather Alcorn (101,000) after securing her spot during the opening flight of the week.
Players will return to 40-minute levels, with blinds resuming at 3,000/6,000 and a 6,000 big blind ante. Scheduled breaks will occur after every two hours of play, and the final nine players will earn a spot at the final table.
Full prize pool information will be posted before play resumes at 12:15 p.m. as all 74 contenders return in the money.
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It's time to award the RGPS Main Event ring, so be sure to stay tuned as the PokerNews team provides full coverage until the final hand is dealt tonight at The Barrel.