Jaime Ortiz of Staten Island, New York captured the January 22 qualifier for the World Harness Handicapping Championship (WHHC) at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
Ortiz cashed in big on his first contest wager, a $100 win wager on Dina Bolt N, earning $580 and catapulting to the top of the leaderboard. He cashed in on four more of his wagers solidifying his win, finishing with $748 and earning a $1,000 seat into the World Harness Handicapping Championship.
William Alempijevic, a veteran WHHC participant, Karen Fossli of Yorktown, New York, and Joe Barre of Waretown, New Jersey also qualified into the WHHC final with their second, third and fourth place finishes.
The $400 qualifier required contestants to place at least 10 $20 minimum win, place and/or show wagers on Meadowlands races.
The World Harness Handicapping Championship is a one-day tournament (September 10, 2022). 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 $400 bankroll, with the remaining $600 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.
The next onsite WHHC qualifier is Saturday, Feb. 19.
(With files from The Meadowlands)