News & Barn notes
Phil Lam Headed to Vegas With Last Chance NHC Contest Win
February 24, 2026
Monmouth Park held a $300 Absolutely Last Chance/First Chance NHC qualifier on Saturday, February 21, and Phil Lam of Fresh Meadows, NY finished in the top spot with a total of $3,088.60.
Lam bested a field that included 120 entries. Lam turned his starting $150 bankroll into the winning total 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, Lam takes home the first-place cash prize of $5,250. Second-place finisher Ken Ramsey and Lam will be heading to Las Vegas for the 2026 National Horseplayers Championship.
In total, the Top 5 finishers from Saturday are:
| Finish | Name | Bankroll | Prize |
| 1st | Phil Lam | $3,088.60 | $5,250+NHC Seat |
| 2nd | Ken Ramsey | $2,871.38 | $2,100+NHC Seat |
| 3rd | Bill Rendino | $1,674.75 | $1,575 |
| 4th | Brian Domenick | $1,001.50 | $1,050 |
| 5th | Anthony Doino | $933.65 | $525 |
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