2006 NHHC champ Alberg wins 2008 NHHC qualifier

Scott Alberg, the 2006 National Harness Handicapping Champion, once again showcased his prowess for picking winners in the NHHC qualifying tournament held last Saturday night at the Meadowlands. 

Alberg, a 46-year-old resident of Washington Township, N.J., nailed eight winners on the card and finished the tournament with a $1,897 bankroll, securing him the $10,880 top prize and a $1,000 entry into the 2008 NHHC on June 21 at the Meadowlands. The NHHC is the only tournament in harness racing to feature a $50,000 guaranteed grand prize.

The NHHC Qualifier format required players to bet 10 Meadowlands races of their choice, working from a $200 bankroll. Wagers had to meet a $20 minimum, $100 maximum per race. Contestants could only bet one horse per race and wagers could either be win, place or a combination of the two.

Alberg connected with winners in eight of the 10 races he bet. He fired out of the gate with three successful $100 win bets, Dream Proof ($5.40) in race one, Artist’s View ($4.20) in race two and Western Smoocher ($3.40) in race four, which boosted his bankroll to $530. However, he opened up to a sizable lead in race six, cashing $1,022 from a $20 win bet on My Masterpiece, the 50-1 upset winner of the Junior Trendsetter final. That score brought his bankroll total to a comfortable $1,532. 

From there, Alberg cashed $100 win bets on favorites Manhardt ($3.40) in race six and Carr’s Character ($3.80) in race seven, as well as his final two wagers, $50 win bets on Out On A Bender ($3.40) in race nine and Look At Me Now ($10.40) in race 13. He finished the tournament with a bankroll of $1,897.

Alberg, a medical/dental administrator, is both a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hudson County and a youth baseball coach in Weehawken, where the office he manages is located. He was recognized for his contributions as a mentor by the New Jersey General Assembly in 2005. He pledged 10 percent of his 2006 NHHC winnings to several children’s charities.

A list of NHHC qualifying sites and upcoming tournament dates is available at: http://www.meadowlandsracetrack.com/nhhc.aspPartner

Partner outlets in the 2007 NHHC included: Balmoral Park, Bangor Raceway, Brandywine Turf Club, Buffalo Raceway, Cal-Expo, Capital OTB/Albany Teletheater, Freehold Raceway, Harrington Raceway, Los Alamitos, The Meadows, Mohegan Sun, Pocono Downs, Western Regional OTB/Batavia Downs and Winticket.com.

Horseplayers that would like to see a qualifying tournament in their area are urged to contact the marketing department of their local racetrack or wagering outlet. (Meadowlands)

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