Plan extra time due to soccer at MetLife 7/26 (games at 4pm & 7pm). Use Paterson Plank Road entrance and stay to right at toll plaza.

Ortiz Wins 2022 World Harness Handicapping Championship

Tuesday, September 13, 2022


Jaime Ortiz of Staten Island, NY captured 2022 World Harness Handicapping Championship on Saturday, September 10 at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment.

Ortiz finished the tournament with a $757.60 bankroll to top the field of 41 players from across North America who competed for $38,700 in prize money.  Ortiz walked away with $13,545 in prize money. He won his Finals seat via the January Meadowlands $400 Qualifier.

The WHHC contest format required contestants to bet 10 Meadowlands races of their choice.  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, show or a combination of the three.

Ortiz cashed on four of his ten bets and steadily moved up the leader board through the night.  He cashed on the fourth race for $190 with a $100 Win wager on #2 (Uptown Lady N)) and again on the fifth race at the Meadowlands for $72 with $20 to Win & Place on #2 (JL Cruze).  Ortiz then hit for $327.60 with a $26 Win & Place bet on Scirocco Rob in the tenth race. His biggest score came in race eleven with a $100 win wager on #4 (Trashytonguetalker) which paid $560.  Ortiz finished with a final bankroll of $757.60, taking home the $13,545 grand prize.

Top Ten Finishers:

Finish Prize $ Bankroll First Last City State
1 $13,545 $757.60 Jaime Ortiz Staten Island NY
2 7,740 $716.00 Anthony Mancini Clifton NJ
3 $5,805 $549.10 Todd Slembarski Swoyersville PA
4 $3,870 $487.00 Tim Platt Little Falls NJ
5 $1,935 $486.00 William Alempijevic Forest Hills NY
6 $1,161 $378.00 Frank Palmasani Endicott NY
7 $1,161 $355.00 Jim Schiro Niagara Falls NY
8 $1,161 $301.00 Anthony DeBaltzo Willoughby Hills OH
9 $1,161 $274.00 Del Kern Milford PA
10 $1,161 $365.00 John Murphy —– CT