Darren Yarwood of Garden City, New York, captured the March 19 World Harness Handicapping Championship qualifier at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

The $200 qualifier required contestants to place at least ten $10 minimum win, place and/or show wagers on Meadowlands races.

Yarwood cashed six times and built his $100 bankroll to $469.10 earning him the $1,344 top cash prize and an $800 seat in the World Harness Handicapping Championship on April 30 at Meadowlands Racetrack.

Gary Scogna of Carmel, New York also earned a berth into the World Harness Handicapping Championship Final. He wagered his $95 bankroll on Southwind Indy in Race 12 at the Meadowlands and cashed for $408.50, propelling him to second place.

The top five contest finishers were:

The WHHC is a partnership between Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment and the United States Trotting Association formed to create the industry’s ultimate tournament experience. Standardbred Canada supports the project by facilitating the participation of Canadian racing and wagering outlets.

The WHHC is a one-day tournament (April 30, 2016), with a welcome reception the evening prior. Players that did not earn a seat through a qualifying event can directly buy-in for $800. The WHHC contest format requires players to bet 10 races: their choice of seven Meadowlands races, plus three designated mandatory races from partner tracks. Players keep all pari-mutuel winnings. Prize payouts are to the Top 10, with an estimated prize pool of $50,000*.

In addition to the Meadowlands, Tioga & Vernon Downs, Hawthorne, betamerica.com, The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, the USTA via betamerica.com and Buffalo Raceway are all WHHC partners.

(Meadowlands)