Mike Labriola
Home: Richmond, Calif.
Age: 53
Occupation: Workers compensation program administrator
Road to the Finals: Finished third in the Bettor Racing OTB Midwest Classic on May 29.
Bio: Labriola is one of the most prominent veteran players on the tournament scene, and his seven major handicapping titles over a 20 year period are the most by any individual. With his third-place finish at the Bettor Racing OTB in South Dakota, he becomes one of only a handful of players who has qualified for four National Handicapping Championships. His top NHC finish to date was 93rd at NHC III as a member of Autotote's Bradley Teletheater team. Also played in NHC V after qualifying at the Reno Hilton, and in NHC II after qualifying that year at Fairplex. Labriola is credited as being one of the first players to employ an approach featuring primarily longshot picks as a tool for winning contests, however, he is not strictly known as a mad bomber. He also has several consistency trophies on his mantle, which are a testament to his versatility and adaptability. Aside from tournaments, Labriola is also a successful exotics bettor, once cashing a superfecta for $94,000. In addition to being one of the top tournament players ever, Mike is also widely recognized as one of the tour's best spokesmen. As a public speaker, he has made presentations in seminars on tournaments at both the 2000 and 2004 Horseplayers' Expos. As a writer, Mike has authored many articles for The Horseplayer Magazine including his critically acclaimed fiction piece Sacred Acres (The Horseplayer Magazine, 1999), and also contributed a note on strategy in the Handicapping Contest Handbook, A Horseplayer's Guide to Handicapping Tournaments (DRF Press, 2003). Additionally, he has also appeared on various racing-themed radio shows. Labriola lives in Northern California with his wife Donna and two sons, Terrance and Gerard, and also enjoys handicapping with his two brothers.
Photo: Bettor Racing OTB