Joseph Bohnarczyk of Wallington, NJ captured the $9,360 top prize in the 2009 National Harness Handicapping Championship Qualifier held Saturday night

at the Meadowlands.

Bohnarczyk, along with second and third-place finishers Joe Barre and Steve Warholak, also earned the $800 entry into the National Harness Handicapping Championship (NHHC) on Saturday, April 25 at the Meadowlands. The NHHC is the only tournament in harness racing to feature a $50,000 guaranteed prize pool.

With the help of 53-1 Aquarius winner Southwestern Dream, Bohnarczyk finished the tournament with a $1,101 bankroll. The NHHC Qualifier format required players to bet 10 Meadowlands races of their choice, working from a $200 bankroll. Wagers had to meet a $20 minimum, $100 maximum per race. Contestants could only bet one horse per race and wagers could either be win, place or a combination of the two.

Players can enter the 2009 NHHC by winning a qualifying tournament at a partner outlet or through direct buy-in. Qualifiers for the 2009 NHHC are being held throughout the country in March. Tournament locations include Balmoral and Maywood Park, Buffalo Raceway, Western Regional OTB and Penn National OTW.

For a list of qualifying dates and sites, click here.

2009 NHHC Qualifier Official Standings (February 21, 2009)

Rank – Name – Bankroll - Prize Money

1st - Joe Bohnarczyk - $1,101 - $9,360
2nd - Joe Barre - $587 - $5,850
3rd - Steve Warholak - $569.80 - $3,510
4th - Greg Marco - $538.90 - $1,755
5th - Joe Chuisano - $520 - $877.50
6th - Debbie Kilpe - $497 - $409.50
7th - Stan Lubowicki - $480 - $409.50
8th - Jackie Finegan - $427 - $409.50
9th - Dave Kilpe - $380 - $409.50
10th - Henry Kurz - $364 - $409.50

117 players - $23,400 total prize pool

Top 3 win free $800 entry into 2009 National Harness Handicapping Championship
on April 25 at the Meadowlands.

(The Meadowlands)