from the Meadowlands Media Relations Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Lucas VanZandt, of Berlin, Conn., captured the Feb. 20 National Handicapping Championship qualifier at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

The $400 no-takeout contest attracted a field of 128 players representing seven different states. All entry fees were added to the prize pool of $25,600.

The Meadowlands NHC qualifier required each contestant to make at least ten $20 minimum W/P/S or WPS bets on their choice of races from Gulfstream, Aqueduct, Fair Grounds and Oaklawn.

VanZandt built his $200 bankroll into $4,416 earning him the $10,240 top cash prize and seat in the 2017 NHC final in Las Vegas. He captured the top spot in the last and final contest race from Fair Grounds, placing his entire bankroll of $920 to win on No. 11 Mr. Justright, who won at odds of nearly 4-1.

Also earning berths into the National Handicapping Championship final were Paul Vinges of Basking Ridge, N.J. and Bart Fooden of Point Lookout, N.Y.

The top 10 finishers along with contest prize payouts are below.