by Dan Leary, USTA Director of Marketing and Communications

Columbus, OH — Michael Chosky from Pittsburgh, Pa. and David Pankenier of Maricopa, Ariz., became the final two qualifiers in the USTA World Harness Handicapping Championship Qualifying Series with wins in the contests involving Maywood Park on Friday (March 14) and Balmoral Park on Saturday (March 15), respectively.

Each of the 10 winners earned entry ($800 value) to the finals of the $60,000 World Harness Handicapping Championship at The Meadowlands on Saturday (April 19).

The USTA free, online contests conducted on www.HorseTourneys.com involved racing from 10 different USTA member racetracks from Jan. 30 through March 15.

First prize in this year’s WHHC final is $20,000 with payouts to the top 10 finishers. For more information, click here or visit the Meadowlands website at www.meadowlandsracetrack.com.

Last year’s winner of the WHHC final was USTA qualifier Jeff Klahr from Erie, Pa.

Free TrackMaster Platinum Plus past performances were provided to all contestants for the 10 contests.

Following are the 10 winners from the 2014 USTA World Harness Handicapping Championship Qualifying Series:

Thursday (Jan. 30)–Northfield Park–Gerry Tuzzolino (Shoreview, Minn.)
Friday (Jan. 31)–The Meadows–Jeffrey Arnold (Ft. Wayne, Ind.)
Friday (Feb. 7)–Meadowlands–Arthur Nigro (Tuckahoe, N.Y.)
Saturday (Feb. 8)–Yonkers–Rick Arbiter (Kingston, N.Y.)
Thursday (Feb. 13)–Dover Downs–Matt Minger (New Lenox, Ill.)
Saturday (Feb. 15)–Cal Expo–Chris Revington (London, Ontario, Canada)
Saturday (Feb. 22)–Pompano Park–Walter Andrasi (Middleburg, Ohio)
Friday (March 7)–Buffalo Raceway–Ron Rippey (Wayne, N.J.)
Friday (March 14)–Maywood Park–Michael Chosky (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Saturday (March 15)–Balmoral Park–David Pankenier (Maricopa, Ariz.)