from the Meadowlands Media Relations Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Matthew Zlotkowski, 34, of Three Rivers, Mass., captured the Jan. 14 World Harness Handicapping Championship qualifier at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

The qualifier required contestants to bet a minimum of 10 $10 win, place or wp wagers on Meadowlands races.

Zlotkowski built his $100 bankroll into $630, earning him the $2,120 top cash prize and an $800 seat in the $50,000 World Harness Handicapping Championship on April 29 at Meadowlands Racetrack.

His key wager was $50 to win on No. 3 The Rock in race seven, netting him $495. Zlotkowski added to his total by cashing for $38 on race eight Hillbilly Hanover, $95 in race 12 on One More Miracle and finishing the contest with a $26 score in the final race with No. 5 Druken Terror.

This was Zlotkowski’s first trip to the Meadowlands and only the second contest he has participated in.

Also earning a berth into the World Harness Handicapping Championship final was James Sidor of Bloomfield, N.J.

Below is the top 10 prize list:

1st-$2,120-$630-Matthew Zlotkowski-Three Rivers, MA
2nd-$1,060-$596-James Sidor-Bloomfield, NJ
3rd-$795-$483.70-Lee Stuckey-Newark, NJ
4th-$530-$373.50-Tim McKenna-Albany, NY
5th-$265-$365.10-Ed Herr-Ocean, NJ
6th-$106-$282-Joe Barre-Waretown, NJ
7th-$106-$202-Nick Montemurro-Bogota, NJ
8th-$106-$156.50-Gary Scogna-Carmel, NY
9th-$106-$150-Bernie Horabik-Grindstone, PA
10th-$106-$149-Chris Simonetti-Jackson, NJ

The next Meadowlands WHHC qualifier is set for Saturday (Feb. 25). Visit www.PlayMeadowlands.com for complete qualifier details.