by Jonathan Cramer, for Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — John Szymanski of Williamsville, N.Y. won the 2009 National Harness Handicapping Championship qualifier at Buffalo Raceway this past weekend. Szymanski defeated 19 other finalists to win the Grand Prize.

Szymanski will receive an all expense paid trip to represent Buffalo Raceway in the National Harness Handicapping Championship (NHHC) at the Meadowlands Racetrack, including transportation, hotel, entry fee and spending cash.

Going into the 13th and final race at Buffalo, Szymanski was in the middle of the standings and selected Class Action Scoot who earned him 7,880 points, the largest payout of the night, to put him the lead. It was the fifth winning ticket for Szymanski.

Szymanski, the Director of Bakery Operations at Le Metro Bakery & Cafe in Williamsville, has been attending the races at Buffalo Raceway for years and excited to represent Buffalo at the NHHC.

Other top five finishers included Mike DelEllis of Buffalo, Ken Fierle of Hamburg, Colleen Kraft, also of Hamburg and Richard Veroba, Jr. of Buffalo.

The National Harness Handicapping Championship will bring together the top handicappers from across the country to compete for the $50,000 Grand Prize. Players may earn their way into the championship through participation in a qualifying tournament at an NHHC partner outlet or by direct buy-in.