Bart Fooden of Port Washington, N.Y. and Russ Harris of St. Davids, Pa. were the top finishers in Autotote's On The Wire phone wagering contest on Saturday, July 17. Both players qualified for next January's DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship VI in Las Vegas.

The contest was open to Autotote On The Wire telephone account holders. Players paid $200 to enter. The entry fee served as a $200 live bankroll which could be wagered in any amount on any bet offered by a host simulcast track except for show bets.

Fooden is a former NHC qualifier who won the Brisnet Online handicapping contest in the fall of 2001. Harris is well known to New York area racing fans as a handicapper for the New York Daily News.