News & Barn notes
DeLucia Takes 1st Prize in NHC Qualifier; Troop, Mungiole, Johnson Headed to Vegas
December 31, 2019
Monmouth Park’s $300 “Last Chance” NHC Qualifier was held on Saturday, December 28 and Darren DeLucia of Cooper City, FL finished in the top spot.
DeLucia bested a field that included 259 entries. He turned his starting $150 bankroll into $3,194.70 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, DeLucia takes home the first-place cash prize of $12,925. With DeLucia not being a registered 2019 NHC Tour Member, the second through fourth-place finishers earn a seat in the 2020 National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas. Those players, in order, are Brian Troop, Matt Mungiole and Brent Johnson.
Monmouth Park’s next handicapping contest is coming up on Saturday, January 25. The $300 NHC Qualifier will feature Gulfstream Park, Aqueduct and Tampa Bay and award two seats to the 2020 or 2021 (player’s choice) NHC.
In total, the Top 10 finishers from Saturday are:
| Finish | Name | Bankroll | Prize |
| 1st | Darren DeLucia | $3,194.70 | $12,925 |
| 2nd | Brian Troop | $2,807 | $5,170+NHC Seat |
| 3rd | Matt Mungiole | $2,303.50 | $3,102+NHC Seat |
| 4th | Brent Johnson | $1,810.95 | $1,809.50+NHC Seat |
| 5th | Vincent Ambrosio | $1,657 | $904.75 |
| 6th | Chris McDonald | $1,351.45 | $387.75 |
| 7th | Clint Anuszewski | $1,047.20 | $387.75 |
| 8th | Frank Foss | $811.50 | $387.75 |
| 9th | Dan Bergen | $556.75 | $387.75 |
| 10th | Joe Girardi | $545 | $387.75 |
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