John Gaspar of Wakefield, MA, captured the March 23rd NTRA National Handicapping Championship Qualifier at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment. The $400 no-takeout contest attracted a field of 138 players representing several different states. All entry fees went to the prize pool totaling $27,600.
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.
Gaspar cashed on nine of his twelve bets building his $200 bankroll into $3,218 earning him the $11,040 top cash prize and seat in the 2020 NHC Final in Las Vegas. John's big score came in Gulfstream's 13th race where cashed for $2,745 with a $550 win bet on maiden winner Hijacker.
Kenneth Jordan of Farmingdale, NJ, also earned a berth into the 2020 National Handicapping Championship Final.
The top ten finishers along with contest prize payouts are below.
Place |
Prize Money |
Bankroll |
First |
Last |
City |
State |
1 |
$11,040 |
$3,218.00 |
John |
Gaspar |
Wakefield |
MA |
2 |
$5,520 |
$3,050.50 |
Kenneth |
Jordan |
Farmingdale |
NJ |
3 |
$2,760 |
$2,870.70 |
Ed |
Herr |
Ocean |
NJ |
4 |
$2,070 |
$2,573.00 |
Jeff |
Bussan |
New Canaan |
CT |
5 |
$1,380 |
$1,871.50 |
Mike |
Doheny |
Bronxville |
NY |
6 |
$966 |
$980.00 |
Chris |
Olsson |
Bellmore |
NY |
7 |
$966 |
$602.50 |
Kevin |
Englehard |
Franklin Park |
NJ |
8 |
$966 |
$540.00 |
Joseph |
Calvo |
Jersey City |
NJ |
9 |
$966 |
$280.00 |
James |
Giamundo |
Howard Beach |
NY |
10 |
$966 |
$254.00 |
Bart |
Fooden |
Point Lookout |
NY |