Larry Bergen already had a party scheduled for after Saturday’s Last Chance NHC Qualifier at Monmouth Park.  Did he predict his own victory and pre-plan a celebration?  No, it was his birthday party.  But after winning a trip to the NHC and $7,875 in prize money, Bergen had a lot more than a birthday to celebrate.

Larry Bergen now joins son Dan Bergen as qualifiers to next month’s NHC in Las Vegas.

Monmouth Park held a $300 NHC qualifier on Saturday, February 4, and the elder Bergen of Fairless Hill, PA., finished in the top spot with a total of $1,612.80.

Bergen bested a field that included 155 entries. He turned his starting $150 bankroll into the winning total by betting races from Gulfstream and Tampa Bay (Aqueduct was cancelled).  Contest players could only bet win, place and/or show and needed to bet a minimum of $30 per race.

By finishing first, Bergen takes home the first-place cash prize of $7,875.   Second-place finisher Phil Ciprello is also heading to March’s NHC in Las Vegas.

In total, the Top 5 finishers from Saturday are: