Ken Hickey of Dumont, New Jersey took first place in Saturday’s free World Harness Handicapping Championship (WHHC) qualifier at The Meadowlands. Hickey won a $1,000 seat into the World Harness Handicapping Championship on September 10.

The contest required players to make a mythical $2 "across the board" wager on one horse in Races 1-10 at the Meadowlands. Hickey finished with $119.50 -- $9 ahead of the second-place finisher.  He hit the board on all but one of his 10 wagers. His biggest score came in Race 4 when Tim Tetrick piloted Great Unknown to an upset win giving Hickey a $38.40 "across the board" score.

Qualifier information can be found at PlayMeadowlands.com.

The World Harness Handicapping Championship is a one-day tournament. Players that did not earn a seat through a qualifying event can directly buy-in for $1,000.  The $1,000 entry fee includes a $300 bankroll, with the remaining $700 going to the prize pool.  The WHHC contest format requires players to bet 10 races: their choice of seven Meadowlands races, plus three designated mandatory races.  Players keep all pari-mutuel winnings.  Prize payouts are to the Top 10. 

Players that have qualified for the WHHC include:

• John Settembrino – Meadowlands November 2021 Free Qualifier
• William Alemijevic – Meadowlands $400 January 2022 Qualifier
• Jaime Ortiz – Meadowlands $400 January 2022 Qualifier
• Karen Fossli – Meadowlands $400 January 2022 Qualifier
• Joe Barre – Meadowlands $400 January 2022 Qualifier
• Sean Loebs – Meadowlands $200 February 2022 Qualifier
• Stefan Ferrara – Meadowlands $200 February 2022 Qualifier
• John Vail – Meadowlands $200 March 2022 Qualifier
• John Murphy – Meadowlands $200 March 2022 Qualifier
• Leo Talback – 2022 Winter Survival Challenge
• Michael Kepler – 2022 Winter Survival Challenge
• Charles Polgar – 2022 Winter Survival Challenge
• Jeff Marrotte – Tioga Downs
• Frank Palmasani – Vernon Downs
• Todd Slembarski – Meadowlands $400 April 2022 Qualifier
• Greg Lipinski – Meadowlands $400 April 2022 Qualifier
• Patrick O’Malley – Meadowlands $400 April 2022 Qualifier
• Russ Slader – Meadowlands $400 April 2022 Qualifier

(With files from The Meadowlands)