East Rutherford, NJ – Jaime Ortiz of Staten Island, NY captured 2022 World Harness Handicapping Championship on Saturday (Sept. 10) at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment.
Ortiz finished the tournament with a $757.60 bankroll to top the field of 41 players from across North America who competed for $38,700 in prize money. Ortiz walked away with $13,545 in prize money. He won his Finals seat via the January Meadowlands $400 Qualifier.
The WHHC contest format required contestants to bet 10 Meadowlands races of their choice. Bets had to meet a $30 minimum, $100 maximum per race. Contestants could only bet one horse per race and wagers could either be win, place, show or a combination of the three.
Ortiz cashed on four of his 10 bets and steadily moved up the leader board through the night. He cashed on the fourth race for $190 with a $100 win wager on #2 (Uptown Lady N)) and again on win and place bet on Scirocco Rob in the 10th race.
His biggest score came in race 11 with a $100 win wager on #4 (Trashytonguetalker), which paid $560. Slader finished with a final bankroll of $757.60, taking home the $13,545 grand prize.
Top 10 Finishers:
Finish Prize $ Bankroll First Last City State
1 $13,545 $757.60 Jaime Ortiz Staten Island NY
2 $7,740 $716.00 Anthony Mancini Clifton NJ
3 $5,805 $549.10 Todd Slembarski Swoyersville PA
4 $3,870 $487.00 Tim Platt Little Falls NJ
5 $1,935 $486.00 William Alempijevic Forest Hills NY
6 $1,161 $378.00 Frank Palmasani Endicott NY
7 $1,161 $355.00 Jim Schiro Niagara Falls NY
8 $1,161 $301.00 Anthony DeBaltzo Willoughby Hills OH
9 $1,161 $274.00 Del Kern Milford PA
10 $1,161 $365.00 John Murphy —– CT