A pair of horseplayers qualified for the 2019 World Harness Handicapping Championship this past weekend at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
Nick Montemurro of Bogota, NJ, captured the February 16 WHHC Championship qualifier, presented by DerbyWars.com, at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
Montemurro finished the contest with a bankroll of $682 after cashing in on three of his ten wagers. His largest score came in the eleventh race at the Meadowlands when his $30 to win on #7 Frankandjoanne banked him $594. Nick solidified his contest win with a $92 score in the final Meadowlands Race on #4 Tact Tate N. Montemurro has also qualified for the WHHC Final via DerbyWars.
Gary Scogna of Carmel, NY, also qualified for the April 13 final with his second-place finish in Saturday’s contest. Scogna hit on three of his ten wagers. The largest being a $612 score in the twelfth race at the Meadowlands with a $51 win bet on Ideal Son.
The $200 qualifier required contestants to place ten $10 minimum win wagers on Meadowlands races.
The World Harness Handicapping Championship presented by DerbyWars.com is a one-day tournament (April 13, 2019), with a welcome reception the evening prior. Players that did not earn a seat through a qualifying event can directly buy-in for $1,300. The $1,300 entry fee includes a $300 bankroll, with the remaining $1,000 going to the prize pool. The $150,000 prize pool is based on an estimated 150 entries. 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.
Players can qualify for the WHHC for as low as $33 every night on DerbyWars.com. Next Saturday, February 23 DerbyWars.com will host a WHHC super-qualifier with up to five spots gaining entry to the $150,000-estimated WHHC.
Club Hawthorne’s weekend qualifiers sent three winners into the WHHC Final. Steven Ginder, Stand Werner and Loretta Yablon will all travel to the Meadowlands on April 13.
Buffalo Raceway and TVG/4NJBets, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs and Rosecroft are also hosting WHHC qualifiers (schedule).
(Meadowlands Racetrack)