News & Barn notes
Amedure Headed to Invitational, PYP after SSC#1 Win
January 19, 2019
Monmouth Park’s first $250 Simulcast Series Challenge Qualifier was held Saturday, January 19 and the winner was James Amedure of Staten Island, NY.
Amedure bested a field that included 97 entries. He turned his starting $150 bankroll into $1,087 by betting races from Aqueduct, Gulfstream and Tampa Bay.Contest players could only bet win, place and/or show and needed to bet a minimum of $15 per race.
By finishing first, Amedure takes home the first-place cash prize of $4,850. In addition, he takes home a spot in the May 11 Simulcast Series Challenge Invitational as well as a seat in the $2,000 Pick Your Prize Handicapping Challenge on June 1. The rest of Saturday’s Top 10 finishers will be joining Amedure in the Invitational. The Top 2 finishers in the Invitational will earn a 2020 NHC seat.
Saturday’s qualifier was the first of four 0% Takeout Bankroll Builder qualifiers in the SSC. Monmouth Park’s next handicapping contest is coming up on Saturday, March 2.
In total, the Top 10 finishers are:
| Finish | Name | Bankroll | Prize |
| 1st | James Amedure | $1,087 | $4,850+PYP Seat+Invitational Seat |
| 2nd | Michael Samples | $690.25 | $1,940+Invitational Seat |
| 3rd | Brian Fairlie | $665.35 | $1,164+Invitational Seat |
| 4th | Pete Rogers | $630.20 | $679+Invitational Seat |
| 5th | Pete Rogers | $567 | $339.50+Invitational Seat |
| 6th | Anthony Doino | $484.65 | $145.50+Invitational Seat |
| 7th | Pat Nufrio | $410.50 | $145.50+Invitational Seat |
| 8th | Michael Murphy | $338.20 | $145.50+Invitational Seat |
| 9th | Michael Samples | $336.75 | $145.50+Invitational Seat |
| 10th | David Conover | $336 | $145.50+Invitational Seat |