News & Barn notes
Kostin Wins SSC #1; Headed to Invitational, PYP
February 14, 2022
Monmouth Park’s first $300 Simulcast Series Challenge Qualifier was held Saturday, February 12 and the winner was John Kostin of Trenton, NJ.
Kostin bested a field that included 108 entries. He turned his starting $150 bankroll into $1,052.50 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, Kostin takes home the first-place cash prize of $3,920. In addition, he takes home a spot in the May 14 Simulcast Series Challenge Invitational as well as a seat in the $2,000 Pick Your Prize Handicapping Challenge on June 4. The rest of Saturday’s Top 10 finishers will be joining Kostin in the Invitational. The Top 5 finishers in the 45-entry Invitational will select between two available NHC seats and three cash prizes.
Monmouth Park’s next three Simulcast Series Qualifiers are coming up on February 12, April 2 and April 30.
In total, the Top 10 finishers are:
| Finish | Name | Bankroll | Prize |
| 1st | John Kostin | $1,052.50 | $3,920+PYP Seat+Invitational Seat |
| 2nd | Robin Buser | $867.15 | $2,800+Invitational Seat |
| 3rd | Jerry McClenin | $722.50 | $2,016+Invitational Seat |
| 4th | Ken Jordan | $720 | $896+Invitational Seat |
| 5th | Eddie Fitzsimons | $683 | $448+Invitational Seat |
| 6th | Gary Wright | $609.75 | $224+Invitational Seat |
| 7th | Darren Yarwood | $601.75 | $224+Invitational Seat |
| 8th | George Bosch | $601 | $224+Invitational Seat |
| 9th | Rocco Lombardi | $578.25 | $224+Invitational Seat |
| 10th | Greg Knepper | $466.45 | $224+Invitational Seat |