Michael Rip, the 2009 National Harness Handicapping Champion, captured the $3,060 top prize in Meadowlands Racetrack’s recent tournament held Saturday, February 25.

The resident of Nutley, New Jersey topped the field of 173 entries with a $746 bankroll, earning him a spot in the inaugural World Harness Handicapping Championship, to be held in 2013 at Woodbine Racetrack (the tournament will return to the new Meadowlands facility in 2014).

James Valenza of New City, New York finished second in the standings with a $680 bankroll. Patrick Welsh, the youngest person to ever capture a tournament at the Meadowlands last year at age 20, was third with $460.

The buy-in for the February 25 was $100, with $50 going into the prize pool. Players were required to bet their $50 on a minimum of 10 Meadowlands races, with a $5 minimum wager per race. Rip connected with five winners on the card, including a $70 win bet on Freddy Day Hanover ($11) in the seventh race, which helped propel him to the top of the tournament standings.

February 25 Tournament Standings

Name - City - State - Bankroll - Prize
Mike Rip - Nutley - NJ - $746.00 - $3,060
James Valenza - New City - NY - $680.00 - $1,530
Patrick Welsh - Doylestown - PA - $460.80 - $1,147
Daniel Cardella - Bayonne - NJ - $322.45 - $765
Tiffany Bush - Washington - NJ - $315.25 - $382
John Damico - Jersey City - NJ - $237.60 - $153
Dustin Carlson - Jamestown - NY - $166.50 - $153
Frank D'Ambrosio - Wallington - NJ - $158.70 - $153
Joseph Niedzwiecki - Staten Island - NY - $147.00 - $153
Nicholas Tummillo - Robbinsville - NJ - $130.20 - $153

(Meadowlands)