East Rutherford, NJ – John Gaspar of Wakefield, MA captured the March 23 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, which totaled $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 12 bets building his $200 bankroll into $3,218 earning him the $11,040 top cash prize and a seat in the 2020 NHC Final in Las Vegas.  John’s big score came in Gulfstream’s 13th race where he 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.

Following are the top 10 finishers with prize money, bankroll, name and hometown:

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