Turf Champs

Turf Champs, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in 1965, emerged during the golden age of electro-mechanical pinball machines and captured the excitement of horse racing, a popular sports betting activity of the era. The machine exemplified the period's trend of sports-themed pinball games that helped legitimize pinball in an era when many cities still had anti-pinball laws on the books.

The playfield design featured horse racing imagery, including track layouts, grandstands, and finishing posts. Players would advance their 'horses' through various targets and rollovers, simulating a race to the finish line. The scoring system was cleverly designed to mirror betting odds, with more difficult shots offering higher point values, much like the long-shot payoffs in actual horse racing.

Turf Champs employed the reliable electro-mechanical technology of its time, featuring mechanical score reels, chimes, and bells that created the distinctive atmosphere of both a racetrack and a pinball arcade. The machine's artwork captured the excitement of thoroughbred racing while maintaining the classic aesthetic of 1960s pinball design, with vibrant colors and dynamic illustrations.

While production numbers aren't definitively known, Turf Champs was moderately successful during its run, appearing in arcades and entertainment venues across America. Today, it represents an interesting intersection of two popular forms of entertainment from the 1960s - horse racing and pinball - and is sought after by collectors who appreciate its unique theme and historical significance.