Charles O’Mara, from Nutley, NJ, captured the National Handicapping Championship Qualifier on Saturday, March 25 at the Meadowlands Racetrack. The $400 no-takeout contest attracted a field of 112 players representing several different states. All entry fees were added to the prize pool of $22,400.
The Meadowlands NHC Qualifier required each contestant to make at least ten $20 minimum Win bets on their choice of races from Gulfstream, Aqueduct, and Oaklawn.
O’Mara built his $200 bankroll into $1,691.20, earning him the $8,960 top cash prize and a seat in the 2018 NHC Final in Las Vegas. His largest score of the day netted $1,640 when he put a $200 win wager on #5 Groton St Scout in Aqueduct’s ninth and final race.
Also earning berths into the National Handicapping Championship Final were Roger Cettina of Rumson, NJ and Michael Sweeney of Rye Brook, NY.
The top ten finishers along with contest prize payouts are below.
1. Charles O’Mara ($8,960), Nutley, NJ
2. Roger Cettina ($4,480), Rumson, NJ
3. Michael Sweeney ($2,240), Rye Brook, NY
4. David Wolff ($1,680), Holmdel, NJ
5. Chris Olsson ($1,120), Bellmore, NY
6. David Conover ($784), Farmingdale, NJ
7. John Vail, III ($784), Lyndhurst, NJ
8. Peter Macheska ($784), Pine Brook, NJ
9. Richard Englander ($784), Scarsdale, NY
10. Peter Jendrek ($784), Fort Lee, NJ
(Meadowlands)