by Justin Horowitz, Meadowlands Media manager

East Rutherford, NJ — Gwyn Houston of Fallston, Md. topped a field of 129 entries to win the Meadowlands National Handicapping Championship qualifier on Saturday (Oct. 1) at Meadowlands Racetrack.

Photo courtesy of the Meadowlands

Gwyn Houston wins the Meadowlands National Handicapping Championship qualifier on Saturday.

Houston jumped from fifth place to the lead on the final race of the contest, the 13th at Gulfstream Park. Houston wagered $1,000 to win on the race winner Bella Vincenza, who paid $5.60. Houston’s final contest total of $3,113.60 was $870.60 more than runner-up Anthony Altomonte of New Jersey. Pat Nufrio of Bellvelle, N.J. finished third with a total of $1,558.80. All three receive spots to the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship in Jan. 2017 in Las Vegas.

Houston also received $10,320 in prize money for his win. Altomonte got $5,160 for his second place finish and Nufrio won $2,580.

The contest featured a $400 buy-in with half the entry fee going towards the prize pool and the other $200 to be used to make at least 10 wagers of at least $20 on the three contest tracks of Belmont, Gulfstream, and Churchill.

For more information, visit www.playmeadowlands.com.