East
Rutherford, NJ - Robert McMasters, 44, of Milford, Ohio captured the $16,600
grand prize in the 2014 World Harness Handicapping Championship on Saturday,
April 19 at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment.
McMasters
finished the tournament with a $2,968 bankroll to top the field of 83 players
from across North America who competed for $41,500 in prize money.
McMasters was an $800 tournament buy-in with two of his friends from
Ohio.
The
WHHC contest format required contestants to bet 10 races: seven Meadowlands
races of their choice, plus one mandatory race each from Pompano, Buffalo and
Meadowlands racetracks. Bets had to meet a $30 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.
McMasters
cashed on seven of his ten bets and took an early lead with a $2,403 score
coming in the Meadowlands’ Race 2 with $40 to Win & $50 to Place on #1
(Rockin Wizard). His final two plays of the night helped McMasters grab
the grand prize with $60 to Win and $40 to place on #1 Verdad in the 12th
from the Meadowlands putting him $68 out of first place. His final wager
of $30 to win on #4 Ok Fame in the Meadowlands’ 13th catapulted
McMasters into the top spot by just $65. He finished with a final
bankroll of $2,968, taking home the $16,600 prize.
In
addition to the Meadowlands, the following partner outlets sent players to
compete in the 2014 WHHC: USTA, Buffalo Raceway, Isle Casino Racing Pompano
Park, The Meadowlands Racetrack & Casino, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs,
Western OTB/Batavia Downs, Twinspires.com, and Standardbred Canada.
Top
Ten Finishers:
|
First
|
Last
|
Bankroll
|
Prize $
|
|
Robert
|
McMasters
|
$2,968.00
|
$16,600.00
|
|
Gary
|
Machiz
|
$2,903.00
|
$8,300.00
|
|
Mike
|
Rip
|
$1,986.00
|
$6,225.00
|
|
Jeffrey
|
Arnold
|
$1,920.00
|
$4,150.00
|
|
Andy
|
Berg
|
$1,705.50
|
$2,075.00
|
|
Marino
|
Scianlepore
|
$1,560.00
|
$830.00
|
|
Ed
|
Cevetello
|
$916.00
|
$830.00
|
|
Walter
|
Andrasi
|
$768.00
|
$830.00
|
|
Vince
|
Sitoski
|
$663.00
|
$830.00
|
|
Gregg
|
Christopher
|
$632.50
|
$830.00
|
