| Thursday, August 7, 2014
Contact: Sean Morris smorris@nyrainc.com Graham rallies late to take Battle of Saratoga Handicapping Challenge
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - After a slow Day 1, Bradley Graham caught fire on Thursday and emerged victorious in the two-day Battle of Saratoga Handicapping Challenge, taking down the top prize of $110,000, as well as a paid entry to the National Handicapping Championship and the Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge.
A record 274 entrants came out for the Battle of Saratoga, which paid to the top 30 finishers for the first time ever.
Graham, a real estate broker from Raleigh, North Carolina, ended the first day with only one winner to his credit, but the tournament veteran did not panic.
"I don't even know how far back I was," said Graham. "I only hit one race [on Wednesday], but I strung a couple of medium priced horses together to start [on Thursday]."
Graham's ascension up the leaderboard came rapidly. In quick succession, the placid horseplayer hit the finale at Saratoga, Given Fire at 18-1, and then Royal Seven ($29.80) in the last at Arlington Park, catapulting him into first place. With only one race remaining, the third at Del Mar, Graham placed his last bet of the day and hoped for the best.
"I liked a horse [in the third race at Del Mar], but no good," said Graham. "It was pretty quiet after the race, so I thought, 'maybe I have a shot.'"
The same poise Graham employed throughout the tournament was on display once the dust settled and his name sat atop the leaderboard. With graceful stoicism, the winner collected his $110,000 check and posed for pictures.
"I love Saratoga," said Graham. "I've been coming here for 14 years. This is my Christmas vacation."
Christopher Larmey checked in second, earning himself $44,500 and a seat to the National Handicapping Championship, and Don Ablamsky finished third, picking up a $30,000 check.
Fourth-place finisher Scott Eyraud earned $20,000, as well as a berth to the National Handicapping Championship due to Ablamsky being ineligible for the seat because he is not an NHC Tour member.
-30- | 
