Gwyn Houston of Fallston, Maryland topped a field of 129 entries to win the Meadowlands National Handicapping Championship qualifier on Saturday, October 1 at Meadowlands Racetrack.

Houston jumped from fifth place to the lead on the final race of the contest, the 13th at Gulfstream Park. Houston wagered $1,000 to win on the race winner Bella Vincenza, who paid $5.60. Houston’s final contest total of $3,113.60 was $870.60 more than runner-up Anthony Altomonte of New Jersey. Pat Nufrio of Bellvelle, New Jersey finished third with a total of $1,558.80. All three receive spots to the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship in January 2017 in Las Vegas.

Houston also received $10,320 in prize money for his win. Altomonte got $5,160 for his second place finish and Nufrio won $2,580.

The contest featured a $400 buy-in with half the entry fee going towards the prize pool and the other $200 to be used to make at least 10 wagers of at least $20 on the three contest tracks – Belmont, Gulfstream, and Churchill.

(Meadowlands Racetrack)