Meadowlands announces dates for 2010 NHHC

The 2010 National Harness Handicapping Championship has been set for Saturday, April 24 at Meadowlands Racetrack. The NHHC is the only championship tournament for harness players to feature a $50,000 guaranteed prize pool.  Players may earn their way into the April championship through participation in a qualifying tournament at an NHHC partner outlet or by direct buy-in.  The cost to enter the 2010 NHHC is $800 [$400 entry fee and $400 tournament bankroll].

Partner outlets in the 2009 NHHC included: Balmoral Park, Buffalo Raceway, Cal-Expo, Harrington Raceway, Maywood Park, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Penn National Off-Track Wagering, Rosecroft Raceway, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, Western Regional OTB/Batavia Downs, YouBet and Horseman and Fair World Magazine/harnessracing.com.

Michael Rip captured the $20,000 grand prize and ultimate bragging rights as the sport's top harness handicapper in the 2009 championship last April.  With a bankroll of $1,858, Rip topped a field of 111 players who came from all across North America - including Canada, California and Curacao - to play in the 2009 championship.  James Kennedy, who qualified for the NHHC through Vernon Downs, took home the $10,000 runner-up prize, while Rick Arbiter, representing Youbet, netted $7,500 for third place.

Racetracks and wagering outlets wishing to participate in the 2010 NHHC should contact Amy Silver at 201-842-5014, asilver@njsea.com or Rachel Ryan at 201-842-5015; raryan@njsea.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.

A list of 2010 qualifying sites and tournament dates will be available on the NHHC Tournament Home Page at: http://www.meadowlandsracetrack.com/nhhc.asp (Meadowlands)