Joe McKay of Gaithersburg, Md. captured the March 24 NTRA National Handicapping Championship Qualifier at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment. The $400 no-takeout contest attracted a field of 143 players representing several different states. All entry fees went to the prize pool totaling $28,600.
The Meadowlands NHC Qualifier required each contestant to make at least ten $20 minimum Win, Place, Show or WPS bets on their choice of races from Aqueduct, Gulfstream and Fair Grounds.
McKay built his $200 bankroll into $1,265.50 earning him the $11,440 top cash prize and seat in the 2019 NHC Final in Las Vegas. McKay cashed on seven of his wagers including his final two wagers at Fair Grounds that netted him $496 and the top prize.
Also earning berths into the National Handicapping Championship Final were Frank Gryboski of Wayne, N.J. and contest veteran Bill Rendino of Bronx, N.Y.
The top 10 finishers along with contest prize payouts are below.
Place, Prize Money, Bankroll, First, Last, City, State:
1 $11,440.00 $1,265.50 Joe Mckay Gaithersburg, Md.
2 $5,720.00 $1,231.90 Frank Gryboski Jr. Wayne, N.J.
3 $2,860.00 $1,182.00 Bill Rendino Bronx, N.Y.
4 $2,145.00 $1,173.90 Kevin Engelhard Franklin Park, N.J.
5 $1,430.00 $1,120.00 Ed Wright Brooklyn, N.Y.
6 $1,001.00 $895.00 Stelios Kandias Ridgewood, N.J.
7 $1,001.00 $868.00 Alan Cohen Hackensack, N.J.
8 $1,001.00 $774.60 Jeff Bussan New Canaan, Conn.
9 $1,001.00 $565.00 Frank Costa Rutherford, N.J.
10 $1,001.00 $540.50 Mark Acerra SI, N.Y.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)