Michael Rip, the 2009 National Harness Handicapping Champion, captured the $3,060 top prize in Meadowlands Racetrack’s most recent tournament, held Saturday, February 25.
The Nutley, NJ resident topped the field of 173 entries with a $746 bankroll, earning him a spot in the inaugural World Harness Handicapping Championship to be held in 2013 at Woodbine. (The tournament will return to the new Meadowlands facility in 2014). James Valenza of New City, NY finished second in the standings with a $680 bankroll. Patrick Welsh, the youngest person to ever capture a tournament at the Meadowlands last year at age 20, was third with $460.
The buy-in for the February 25 was $100, with $50 going into the prize pool. Players were required to bet their $50 on a minimum of 10 Meadowlands races, with a $5 minimum wager per race. Rip connected with five winners on the card, including a $70 win bet on Freddy Day Hanover ($11) in the seventh race, which helped propel him to the top of the tournament standings.
February 25 Tournament Standings
First Last City State Bankroll Prize
Mike Rip Nutley NJ $746.00 $3,060
James Valenza New City NY $680.00 $1,530
Patrick Welsh Doylestown PA $460.80 $1,147
Daniel Cardella Bayonne NJ $322.45 $765
Tiffany Bush Washington NJ $315.25 $382
John Damico Jersey City NJ $237.60 $153
Dustin Carlson Jamestown NY $166.50 $153
Frank D'Ambrosio Wallington NJ $158.70 $153
Joseph Niedzwiecki Staten Island NY $147.00 $153
Nicholas Tummillo Robbinsville NJ $130.20 $153
