from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Registration is open for the 2008 National Harness Handicapping Championship presented by FigIsBig, the only tournament for harness players to feature a $50,000 guaranteed first prize, on Saturday, June 21, at the Meadowlands.

Players who did not earn an entry into the 2008 NHHC through a qualifying tournament have the option of buying into the championship for $1,000 ($600 non-refundable entry fee plus $400 required tournament bankroll). Players may register in-person or by mail.

Entry deadline is 5:00 p.m., Thursday, June 20. For the entry form and other contest information, click here.

The buy-in includes an invitation for the player and a guest to the 2008 NHHC cocktail reception in Pegasus Restaurant on Friday, June 20.

To play in the NHHC, contestants must bet 10 races: two pre-designated mandatory races from partner tracks Balmoral and Cal-Expo, plus the player’s choice of eight Meadowlands live races. Contest wagers are win, place or a combination of the two; one horse per race. Contestants must meet a minimum of $40 per race; $100 maximum. Payouts are to the top 10 finishers and contestants keep all pari-mutuel winnings.

In addition to the $50,000 guaranteed first prize and ultimate bragging rights as the nation’s top harness handicapper, the winner also receives a guest appearance on Racing from the Meadowlands and celebratory dinner, plus his or her handicapping picks published in the Meadowlands program on major stakes days.

Jim Famularo of Toms River, N.J., was the 2007 NHHC grand prize winner. Famularo earned his way into the championship through a qualifier at the Meadowlands. James Goldenberg, the 2007 runner-up, came by way of Balmoral Park. The 2006 championship went to Scott Alberg of Washington Township, N.J., while Jim Lange of Cohoes, N.Y., runner-up in the Capital OTB qualifier, was the tournament’s inaugural champ in 2005.

Racetracks and wagering outlets across the country held NHHC qualifiers, with their winners and runner-ups receiving their entry fees, bankrolls and travel paid for by the host establishment. In addition to the Meadowlands, participants in the 2008 NHHC include Balmoral Park, Buffalo Raceway, Cal-Expo, Capital OTB, Harrington Raceway, Maywood, Mohegan Sun, Penn National OTW, Pocono Downs, TwinSpires, Western Regional OTB/Batavia Downs, and YouBet.

For more information about the 2008 NHHC, contact Tournament Directors Rachel Ryan (raryan@njsea.com) or Amy Silver (asilver@njsea.com).