Paul Shurman
Home: Dix Hills, N.Y.
Age: 49
Occupation: Attorney
Road to the Finals: Won $11,500 for finishing second in Autotote's Bradley Teletheater Handicapping Challenge on June 26-27.
Bio: Qualified for the National Handicapping Championship for the third year in a row ­ all in Autotote contests. Finished 189th in NHC V and 125th in NHC IV after qualifying both years with wins in Autotote On The Wire phone betting contests. Was a member of On The Wirešs second-place squad in the NHC IV team competition, earning $2,000 in prize money. Tournament veteran plays in more than a half-dozen contests a year, which, he says, leaves him no time for any other hobbies. Considers himself a big fan of the New York Islanders, Mets, and Jets. Once hit a trifecta for $16,000. PaulŒs wife and brother, who took him to the track for the first time at Belmont Park when he was 20, both share his enthusiasm for handicapping.
Photo: Harold Roth/Horsephotos