Product Description
How to enjoy a day at the races-and bet to win!
The last two years have seen a record number of Americans tune in for climatic Triple Crown races featuring Smarty Jones and Funny Cide; in 2004, television viewership jumped a whopping 61 percent over the record set in 2003, and the Belmont Stakes race itself drew a record crowd of more than 120,000! This easy-to-understand guide shows first-time visitors to the track how to enjoy the sport of horse racing-and make smart bets. It explains what goes on at the track, what to look for in horses and jockeys, how to read a racing form and do simple handicapping, and how to manage betting funds and make wagers that stand a good chance of paying off. Complete with coverage of off-track and online betting, it's just what anyone needs to play the ponies-and win!
Richard Eng (Las Vegas, NV) is a racing writer and handicapper for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, a columnist for the Daily Racing Form, and the host of a horseracing radio program in Las Vegas. He was formerly a part of the ABC Sports team that covered the Triple Crown. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Handicapping for Dummies
P.T. Barnum was right when he said there was a sucker born every minute. Question; If those in the racing industry want to really put this gambling gimmick on the up and up, let us move the highest handicapped horse on the inside rail allowing supposedly the worst horse (based on the bookmakers odds or morning line) to run the shortest route while moving the lowest odds horses to the outside post positions. Now why does this suggestion sound fair to all the betting public but is so strongly opposed by the odd-makers ?Hmmmm ?

A split decision
This was my second dummies book. Texas holdem was the first (I no longer play that game).
I purchased this book along with How to Win the Pick 6 and Exotic Betting. See my reviews on those books.
The book is well laid out and covers horse racing and betting basics pretty well. However there wasn't anything exciting and were some sections worthy of a yawn or two.
I have found myself picking it up for a quick reminder of what's what about subjects like track take out percentages and wagering tips.
What I have learned is that if I surf the web for information on something like "trifecta" I can get more professional results and often find other unexpected and good things to read.
It's fine for exactly what it is, an entry level book full of simple explanations. I don't regret buying it, but I don't believe I absolutely needed to buy it.
A spilt between 3 and 4 stars.

HELP NEEDED FOR PART-TIME JOB
As an employee working for Churchill Downs and as a person who does not gamble, I felt at a disadvantage pertaining to certain questions posed by customers. The book I bought, Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies, arrived in excellent shape and is just the information I needed. While my main job duties are assisting customers in navigating the website, a thorough knowledging of wagering is desired. Thanks Amazon.com!

Good book for beginners but nothing great!
I would recommend the following 3 books for the horse handicapper after reading this one:

These are in no particular order, but all very helpful in my opinion.

1. The Horse Racing Guide to the Galaxy - B&W Edition The Kentucky Derby - Preakness - Belmont: The must have Thoroughbred Race Track Handicapping & Betting Book for Beginners.

2. Beyer on Speed: New Strategies for Racetrack Betting

3. Win Every Race: A Never Before Seen Wagering System Dedicated to Any Kind of Horse Racing (Alternate Cover)

and don't forget to use the "Gambling Advantage" listed in
GA is for Bitches - Volume #1 Sports Betting Guide B&W Version: The must have Sports Betting Guide for the Winningly Challenged
to really improve your overall bottom line. It really does work!

Good introduction but.....
This book is a good introduction to horse racing in general, with helpful tips for beginning handicapping. The only problem was that I wanted a good explanation of the charts in the Daily Racing Form and, as one other reviewer wrote, the charts presented here are so tiny as to be unreadable! I had to take them to a copier and blow them up almost 200% so I could understand what the author was talking about. The editor should have caught this! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Racehorse
This is an exciting and informative book, a real short-cut to being "in the know" about all things thoroughbred racing. A must for any racing fan's library. Look forward to may hours of enjoyable reading. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (8)

Great Horse Racing Mysteries: True Tales from the Track
I'm a "mystery" fan and this book kept my attention.I really enjoyed gaining knowledge of the horse-racing industry.I only wish there were more stories in this book.The book ended too soon.

True Mystery And Suspense
From Eclipse Press and John McEvoy comes one of the most intriguing horse racing books to date. Some of the tales you will find within the book seem too amazing to be true. And the scary part is, they are true. Every single word is true. What's more is that the mysteries go unsolved. You will have to form your own opinion of what happened based on the fine detailed print McEvoy gives you to base it on. The book has great amazing cliffhangers that leave you wondering til the end of time. Great for mind stimulation and concept. Very well-researched and a very entertaining read. This novel is highly reccommended.

true stories that you just have to finish
This is an objective look at some of the biggest mysteries in the horse world. Unlike many writers, the author doesn't slant for or against...he puts the facts there. What do you believe? Is Shergar alive? Was Pharlap the victim of a tragic error? Mysteries, history and horses in one book. Worth the time to read.

Luridly revealing the worst in human nature
Great Horse Racing Mysteries: True Tales From The Track presents true stories of crime, unsolved puzzles, and cases that remain debated to the present day concerning the world of horse racing. Tales of murder, suicide, arson, fraud, and animal kidnapping reveal the dark side of this popular sport. Luridly revealing the worst in human nature in the racing and racehorse raising profession and keeps a tight grip on the reader's attention and does not let go.

Great Horse Racing Mysteries
Ripped off by Amazon.Maximum price of this book was $24.95 new through the vendor Half.com.Amazon charged $38.94.Shame on me for trusting Amazon.It will not happen again because I am closing my account with these rip off artists. Be very careful before you purchase from this company. ... Read more

Product Description
Is it really possible to wager and win at the racetrack? Free's resounding answer is yes--horseplayers can and do win! This paperback edition includes an entire new chapter on synthetic racing surfaces, updated and current past performances and charts, an index for easier reference, and all of the enduring handicapping factors presented in the hard cover. Handicapping 101 gives both the novice and seasoned player the handicapping foundation required to succeed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Very Informative Book
I really enjoyed this book.I went to Delaware Park yesterday and lost about as much as a usually do.However, I felt much more comfortable reading the racing form and making bets.

Foolish to bet on horses without reading this book.
This is a must read for any person that is interested in horse racing. Start with the fundamentals Brad Free explains how to inturprit the past performance racing form wich is probably the most important information you need to consistantly bet on horses. Then He explains how to identify a long shot. So there you go.

Not suitable for Kindle
The content of this book is fantastic for someone almost completely new to racing, like me.It won't make me a world-class handicapper, but it's perfect for being able to look at a field of horses and somewhat confidently pick out a few likely contenders.If you already know the basics, you're not going to get much out of this book.

The wagering strategy is great for beginners and opens to the door on the world of exotics while giving a newbie some idea of the bankroll one needs to seriously play them.

The only reason I'm giving it 3 stars is because it's terrible on the Kindle 2.The author routinely uses actual Equibase horse program excerpts for making his points, but the print is tiny in real life, let alone the Kindle 2.Even with the Zoom function they're absolutely impossible to read.

The content on its own is still worth the price, but I wish I'd gone with a paper version.

HANDICAPPING 101
THE PERFECT INTRODUCTION TO THE ONLY SPORT WITH MORE STATISTICS THAN BASEBALL! THIS BOOK CAN HELP BOTH THE BETTOR WHO THINKS HE KNOWS IT ALL AS WELL AS THE BEGINNER TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE BETTING SYSTEM.
WELL WRITTEN AND ENJOYABLE AS WELL AS INSTRUCTIVE. ... Read more

Product Description
Would a $400,000 Pick 6 paycheck change your life? Can your $32 ticket beat out a syndicates $12,000 wager? Are you making the smartest Pick 6 play possible? Would you be content earning a six-figure income at the racetrack: year after year? This book can pay for itself, your retirement, AND your house!

It is not a handicapping book, and it's not a "system." It is a book about learning how to routinely win monster Pick 6 paychecks. A one-of-a-kind book with 397 pages dedicated to horse racing's ultimate wager.

If you want to become wealthy playing the horses, the ONLY way to do so is to become a Pick 6 winner. A repeat Pick 6 winner. If you're a consistent loser at the racetrack, here is your opportunity to turn it all around and become a BIG winner... fast!

Millions of horseplayers just don't get it. They are losers. They fritter their money away on Exactas, Superfectas, Super High Fives and the lowly Show wager. Playing those "fun" wagers drains their bank account. They certainly aren't the wagers big winners play.

Readers of How to WIN the PICK 6 are going to "get it." They are going to put an end to their losing days by learning how to become winners. Isn't that what you want?

Readers will be educated and mentored to put winning selections on Pick 6 tickets ranging from $16 to several hundred dollars. They will be shown the amazing 3% Solution, the eye-opening 30/30/40 Rule, and other novel Pick 6 strategies to guide them toward a life of financial freedom.

Author Steven Kolb's goal is to educate readers about the intricacies of horse racing most elusive wager. If you want to be in the Winners Circle you'll need to learn how to play the Pick 6, when to play the Pick 6, where to play the Pick 6, and what to do once you start cashing in on five- and six-figure Pick 6 paychecks. All the answers to the Pick 6 puzzle are in this book; as well as lots of humor, stories, quotes and facts.

It's time. It's time to stop squandering away your wagering capital. It's time to put on your thinking cap. It's time to make the decision that you really want to be a winner. It's time to start making money - BIG money - at the racetrack. It's time to admit that the best way to make that big money is by winning the Pick 6 again and again. It's time for you to conquer horse racing's ultimate wager. It's time to win the Pick 6!
On Twitter as MrPick6. Good luck to you and yours. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

Makes a difficult wager seem easy
This is a really different approach to betting on horse racing. It's an easy to read, almost 400 pages, book dedicated to winning the Pick 6. A very creative, informative, and often fun book. Not boring, and not full of statistics and charts that have never meant much to me. While there are other good books on horse racing, none of them are anything like this. Nicely done and good for just about any racing fan.

Good read Pick 6 wagering
Many typos and grammatical problems:about one every two chapters.I am hoping this is just a Kindle edition problem, but think for the price they should do a little bit better job selling the electronic version.Charts are also many times harder to read in the Kindle version.

That aside, it's a really good primer about the Pick 6 in the U.S and good easy read with many excellent tips that causes you to think outside the box.Even though I knew about some of the concepts already, the author backs them up with hard statistics (culled over the last decade) which can always be counted on as a rule of thumb. He rarely gives poor advice, though there were one or two I flagged to go back later and research further.Example is he mentions overlapping tickets where you may actually win by having 6/6 more than once -- there really is no benefit unless you are so overconfident in some of your picks that you're willing to "weight" some of your selections more heavily than others, or mistakenly have the same 6 selections on two tickets for the same day.This is mentioned in the mid-point of the book talking about splitting up one large ticket around $128 into four of $32, in which case there should be no overlap based on how he laid it out anyway. Wasting money needlessly on repeat selections generally goes against the rest of the book.Further noting that advanced Pick 6 strategies should always include splitting up one's ticket if a high number of horses are used.I highly recommend the Del Mar Pick6 calculator for this purpose.

The author doesn't spend much time on the actual handicapping obviously, but does give a few bullet points and decent tips, explaining early that the in-depth stuff is beyond the scope of this text, and there are endless good books on the subject so get yourself at least a couple.Author does explain how he goes about doing so when handicapping the Pick 6 for that day and how much time is involved.Most advice can also be applied to other similar multi-race parimutuel wagering which I found valuable.

Kolb Eyes Review
Handicapping books are characterized by amateur authors telling their stories through examples and analysis.Many are poorly written and overly repetitive.How to Win the Pick 6 by Steven Kolb carries many of the characteristics of basic handicapping books.There are several misspellings and some concepts are presented repeatedly.Overall, I found the book thought provoking and stimulating.I learned several new concepts as the author presented his unique research which brought me to a new understanding of horse racing's Pick 6 wager.

Kolb takes the reader on a voyage through his experience as a Pick 6 handicapper.He starts raw and unskilled, but lucky.His luck changes and he is forced to analyze his losses toward improvement.The book appears to be written over a seven year period with data from 2002 and 2008, but no explanation for the intervening years.Kolb starts his wagers using morning line and makes improvements in handicapping which are not covered in the book.A second book is mentioned as a potential project.This is not a book about picking winners or handicapping individual races.

Kolb's insight to the Pick 6 wager adds value to the reader.He gives basic factual evidence supporting his basic premise to ratio favorites, short-priced horses and long-shots.He uses vignettes for examples of successful wagers.The problem here is some loss of credibility because most wagers end up as documented successes.Then again, readers will not be interested in tickets with zero or one successful selection.

Experienced readers may be skeptical of the results claimed in the book.Other reviewers cite long losing streaks associated with low probability wagers.My own analysis suggests that to win 3% of Pick 6 wagers, it is necessary to capture 56% of the probability for each of the six legs.Kolb instructs the reader to minimize the number of favorites, a key finding; however, readers may struggle to identify which of the six races to single and lose confidence as they single incorrect horses.Successfully singling two horses brings the probability for each of the other four legs down to a more reasonable 42%.Future books from Kolb should elaborate on how to identify the singles.

Nearly 20 years ago I enthusiastically read Dick Mitchell's books espousing the value of the Pick 3.I find Kolb's analytical style and content to be equally insightful to some of the greatest handicapping books of all-time.He has inspired me to undertake some independent research to see if I can replicate his success and follow the path to the super paydays associated with this poorly understood wager.Recommended.

EZ to follow
From beginning to end, this is an excellent book for horse players. I learned a lot of what to do's and many what not to do's. If you bet the pick 6, then read this book. Exciting style.

This book has me really excited!
I love horse racing and betting but have never hit anything really big. After reading this book, I feel like its only a matter of time before I hit a bigjackpot! I really liked the 3% rule and it makes total sense. The 30/30/40 is fantastic! I can't wait to start wagering and winning some real money and I believe its possible with the teachings in this book. Great read and this book is hard to put down once you start. ... Read more

Product Description
In Not by a Long Shot, veteran racing reporter and press box personality T. D. Thornton takes us inside the remote corners of a once-glamorous Thoroughbred race track that's fallen on hard times. Suffolk Downs--or "Sufferin'Downs"--is where grizzled Thoroughbreds come to end their careers, hopeful young jockeys aspire against daunting odds to begin them, and diehard fans cheer, curse, and gamble on the entire fascinating spectacle.

Thornton brings to life an unforgettable cast of characters, and provides a deeply textured portrait of the engaging, profane, and unfathomably mysterious world of horse racing--where even the best in the business lose 75 percent of the time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

entertaining and profitable
I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to horse racing fans.Thanks to his insight on Patricia Meadows, i was able to cash on a 25-1 first time starter that she bred and trained this week.

Great Book
For anyone who is interested in the world of professional horse racing or if you like horse racing already this is a great book. T.D goes into the lives surrounding a small horse track in Boston. From the mob paying jockeys off, to a fallen Kentucky Derby hero, to the famous Cigar, to the horse that crippled Super Man he covers it all. Very interesting book

What's Really Going on at the Race Track
I just finished read this book & was fascinated by all of the real-life characters who populate the race track.I've been to many "minor league" racetracks (Thistledown, Waterford Park, Charlestown, Timonium, Bowie, Penn National, Philly Park & Northampton). The descriptions really transported me back to those places. And best of all, the author's work is relevant today as many tracks are pumped up with casino revenues but still cater to the same "degenerates".

Next time you go to the track, pay special attention to the characters (gamblers, trainers, jockeys, ticket sellers...) This book is strongly suggested for any racing fan.

Great behind the scenes view
As someone originally from Boston, having spent many afternoons at Suffolk Downs, I'm a little bit biased. However, I found this book to be extremely interesting and very well written. While many books like this are written as advertisements, Mr. Thornton has no problem in exposing some of the less desirable sides of the industry. The overall balance between good and bad, happy and sad, is quite fair. There were passages that made me laugh out loud, others that were quite sad. There is an interesting section that exposes the chaos and corruptness that is Massachusetts state government. I would certainly recommend this book, especially to casual horse racing fans, industry insiders maybe not so much.

Not By a Long Shot
Good description of characters and events.Author reveals that he really does have a total knowledge of the life and death of the Suffolk Downs race track in East Boston.Thornton also gives us intimate information about the functions of the other race tracks along the United States eastern coast. This is a long read, sometimes dragged out a bit, but it does give the reader an insight into how a race track operates and the people associated with that world.Norma in California ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

I don't think so
In my opinion this book is not worth the paper it is printed on.I donated my to the resale shop for charity.I bet you will too.

Horse Race Betting Using Track-proven methods!
A simple, proven system of picking winning horses. Shows the beginner in a few easy lessons how to be his own handicapper. Shows the experienced race-goer a new type of long-priced, real best bets that have won with astonishing consistency in different months and in different years.Text includes reference rules, glossary, and examples of how to calculate and make a winning bet.183 pages plus list of major tracks. Sequel to "Payday at the Races."The necessary requirements for each of three of the most powerful types of selection are presented in a nutshell so that each can be recognized almost at a glance. No stone was left unturned in making sure that the "power plays" would win reasonably often under all conditions. Tests were taken at all major tracks but it was demonstrated that these methods also would work well at small or "minor" tracks, which hitherto have been the bugaboo of most amateur handicappers. If these methods continue to produce such astounding results, the reader should have little hesitancy in conducting his operations with the utmost confidence. ... Read more

Product Description
When Heather travels to Oklahoma to visit family friends, she is introduced to barrel racing. Falling in love with this quick-paced sport, Heather is thrilled when she returns home and discovers Rimfire, a fabulous Morgan barrel racer who just happens to be for sale. When her parents refuse to buy yet another horse, Heather convinces her friend Nicholas to purchase Rimfire. Everything is going well until Heather decides to take Rimfire to a competition without Nicholas's permission. What will happen to the horse as he makes that final turn around the last barrel and more importantly, has Heather jeopardized her friendship all for the sake of a ribbon? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

a must read!
rimfire by ellen feld is a fantastc book.i liked it because i now a lot about horses and i new what was going on.her words speak to me because i love horses so much.i cant belive heather took rimfire without asking nicholas for permission.i still love her though!ellen feld is my favorite author now and always!

The Trophy of Friendship!

RIMFIRE: THE BARREL RACING MORGAN HORSE

ELLEN F. FELD

Young Adult Fiction

Fall 2009 - 206 pp.


Willow Bend Publishing


ISBN: 9780970900210


Heather Richardson is initially reluctant to visit her parents' friends in the state of Oklahoma but becomes more excited when she hears they have a ranch with 20 horses. Her expectations are about to be wildly filled, as she makes a new dear friend, Katie, and discovers a whole new world of horse contests, barrel racing!!! At first glance, it seems rather easy but Heather is about to learn just how much skill is involved to train the horses to turn in different ways and directions with grace, style and speed. Add to that challenge the need to never abuse a horse in the training and to learn not to be careless in taking care of them. For these are beautiful horses whose thrill in every competition can clearly be seen in their enthusiasm in training and the actual contests! This is one summer that will fly by, for sure!

Heather is so excited about this new way of enjoying horses that she talks her friend, Nicholas's family into buying Rimfire, the horse she has come to love but can't have because her family can't afford another horse and Heather is not willing to trade one of her horses for Rimfire. One of the neat part of these Morgan Horse stories is the way friends share their passion for horse-riding and frequently ride together, riding their own horses as well as each other's horses who specialize in certain types of horse competitions.

Mistakes in the passion of enthusiasm are made by many riders, but Heather decides to barrel race a particular horse that doesn't belong to her and risks her own and Rimfire's well-being in the process. While the momentary thrill and the fear and guilt that follow are powerful feelings to prevent this from happening again, Heather has more to learn about trust, honesty, forgiveness disciplining one's self and re-earning trust.

Ellen Feld manages to teach basic skills about horses and human character without coming across like a teacher, nag, or preacher. Rimfire... like all the books in her Morgan Horse series manages to enchant all readers with a love for these beautiful horses, excitement in the challenges present in every conflict in the novels, and making the reader fall in love with horses, those who love them and the challenges they face in a very competitive field. Here's another novel that would make a terrific gift to buy for one's own reading or for some good friends and family members, young or old! Terrific, even better job in this latest novel, Ms. Feld!

Reviewed by Viviane Crystal - December 7, 2009

This book is so captivating, you'll forget about everything but horse and barrel racing until you've turned the last page!
Heather Richardson was planning on spending a relaxing time with her horses over school vacation and was some disappointed when her mother told her they would be heading to Oklahoma to visit some friends.She wanted to spend some time with her horses and the only thing that brightened her day was when her mother said that the Henderson's had a daughter her age and. . .they had "more than 20 horses!"Heather was a horse lover or, if you asked some people, a horse fanatic.She was planning to spend some time at Chauncy's, the owner of Gallant Morgans, where she boarded her horses, but the chance for making a new friend and becoming acquainted with sooooo many horses was a big draw.Oklahoma, here I come!

The Hendersons turned out to be a very "horse" oriented family, just like the Richardsons.Katie and Heather were a bit shy when they were introduced, but before long they were acting as if they'd known each other all their lives.The "more than 20 horses" turned into forty-eight, but when you love horses, what's a few more?Heather joked that she figured she'd "died and gone to horse heaven."Heather's favorite horse was Blackjack and Katie's was Hot Shot, a "barrel racing horse."Heather never heard of such a thing, but she was soon trotting the gelding around the barrels in a cloverleaf pattern.She was hooked and got an adrenaline rush when she ran the "pattern at full tilt" a short while later.The "gelding bolted like a runaway horse being chased by a cougar."Horse heaven wasn't the word for it.

When Heather got back home, she was anxious to resume riding, but was a bit disgusted when she was invited to a birthday party at the Buckland Riding Academy.Now that sort of thing was for "people who don't know how to ride," and after her experience with Hot Shot this would be a bummer.To her surprise she, as a more experienced rider, got to ride Rimfire.He was actually a barrel riding horse and "was a bolt of lightening!" He was for sale and it didn't take much for her to convince Nicholas to buy him.Please, please, please!Soon they had Rimfire in training and they were going to exhibit and ride him in Redding.Nicholas had to cancel out, saying that she couldn't go alone because it had "something to do with liability."If she took him anyway no one would know any different. . ."the barrel moved and tilted and almost rolled over. . .a small trickle of blood oozed out onto her sock.""Pull up!Pull up!"The audience began to scream. . .

This book was nothing short of thrilling and each of Ellen Feld's books seems to be better than the last.This is the sixth in the Morgan Horse series that young people are raving over and their parents are most likely secretly reading when no one is looking.This book is so utterlycaptivating that you'll be so busy reading and chomping on popcorn, you'll forget about everything but the world of horses and barrel racing up until you turn that last page.Blackjack, Frosty, Rusty, Robin, Annie, Shadow, Rimfire. . .I just can't wait to see who shows up next.If you want to add a realistic award winning series to your list of horse books (and secretly read them) this is one you'll want to consider!

Rimfire: The Barrel Racing Morgan
Heather is introduced to a new sport - Barrel racing.When Nickolas becomes unable to show Rimfire, Heather shows him and injures him.Because of this Heather learns an important lesson about friendship and what happens when you do something that you shouldn't.

Heather Reminds Me Of My Granddaughter
I don't know why I started reading Ellen Feld's books. Maybe one was just laying around and I picked it up and enjoyed what I was reading. And Heather reminds me of my granddaughter so I particularly enjoy reading about her. Fact is, RIMFIRE is the best of the books I've read. It's just a good, old fashioned read with all the appropriate elements. The one thing that's missing is the romantic relationship between Nicholas and Heather. Will that come in a future book?????????????? Only the author knows. ... Read more

Product Description
Are you passionate about Quarter Horse racing? Want to make more winning bets and gamble smarter than you ever have before?

Quarter Horse racing's #1 revolutionary handicapping guide is "Fast Horses, Fast Money...Everything You Need to Know to Win Quarter Horse Races!"

Even expert, professional handicappers--such as track announcer Don Stevens of Delta Downs Racetrack and Casino--admit that the book changed the way they handicapped races.

In clear, easy-to-read language, you'll learn how to pick winners in 5-10 minutes with just a few simple steps. All you need is a racing form. No complicated forms or math to do.

It's Quarter Horse racing from A-Z, with insight, statistics, and analysis of every key handicapping factor in the sport, from winning trainers, jockeys, owners and breeders to winning post positions, recent form, class, speed indices...and much more!

The world's most complete analysis of racing Quarter Horses links--for the first time ever--unique scientific research on 286 real winning racehorses with more than 100 easy-to-use, step-by-step betting strategies, including dozens of long-shot plays and money-savers.

Knowledge of this powerful new research ALONE will automatically give you a big edge over the betting public and the so-called "insiders."

However, the racing Professor went one step further--based on statistical profiles of winning horses, he created new handicapping angles and plays that actually spell out your chances of winning. ... Read more

Product Description
In the last 30 years, horse-race betting has undergone a revolution from the musty days of win, place and show into a bazaar of high-risk, high-reward wagers that have transformed the game. Yet no book has explored this new bazaar of exotic new wagers that has transformed the game – until now.

Daily Racing Form publisher Steven Crist's long-awaited exploration of racing's newest and wildest wagers is the first comprehensive guide to the new world of pick-sixes, superfectas, carryovers and jackpots. Using the same common-sense approach and layman's terms that have made him a popular handicapping columnist for The New York Times and Daily Racing Form for over 25 years, Crist explains how these new wagers work, which ones are best for different types of serious or recreational players, and how the new bets have changed what it means to be a skilled and successful horseplayer.

Crist also provides excellent insight into wagering on America’s biggest racing dates such as the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont Stakes, and Breeders’ Cup. The reader learns how to construct an exotic wagering ticket, betting line, the importance of being capitalized, and the pros and cons of playing ontrack, online or offshore.

Exotic Betting presents a blueprint for new betting strategies in the 21st century for both the sophisticated horseplayer and casual racegoer. The reader will not only learn how to wager successfully, but is sure to gain some new and exciting handicapping tidbits for his or her next trip to the track, simulcast center, or for that relaxing evening wagering in front of the computer screen. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

Good, but lacking for the advanced player
Written on a narrow topic and advertised as dealing solely with bet structuring (as opposed to selection), I expected the book to emphasize and detail strategies for maximizing potential return at appropriate levels of risk through the use of exotic wagering - the key principles of a disciplined and winning approach to the races. Simply put, I wanted to know when to add that extra horse to a trifecta ticket or when it made financial sense to leave off a vulnerable favorite in a leg of the Pick 4. In contrast, however, Exotic Betting is styled more as an introduction to exotic bet structuring for the beginner, and could be described as simply an extended and more in-depth version of a pamphlet handed out a track explaining simple horizontal and vertical strategies. This is, by no means, intended as an insult to the book or to Crist, and is more a warning to the veteran/professional player looking for advanced treatment of the subject. Indeed, the book is geared more toward the reader of Handicapping 101(which, incidentally, is a great introductory book) who routinely boxes trifectas and three-horse exactas than the reader looking to apply the principles of Fooled by Randomness or a hearty statistics tome to their wagering.

At its core, Exotic Betting contains a discussion of the basic strategies for both vertical (exacta, trifecta, and superfecta) and horizontal (daily double, pick three, pick four, and pick six) wagers. For the most part, the strategies are sound and provide a good, launching pad for deeper thinking about the exotics. In particular, Crist mentions the single, most important piece of advice for the exotics bettor: Exotics can not be used as a means to profit from an overall lack of clarity. This was a lesson that I learned in the early days of wagering, believing that I could use these bets as a replacement for difficult decision making. While you may occasionally reap the reward from this method, the bettor is typically not getting a return in accordance with the risk undertaken. And, at the core, that is what exotic betting is about -- finding ways to increase the return while managing risk -- all based upon your opinion and analysis of the race.

Unfortunately, Exotic Betting does not delve deeply into this fundamental dilemma - one in which the handicapping literature desperately needs more work. Indeed, one problem I have had in the past with other handicapping books was the failure of the authors to explore the rationales underlying certain decisions and attempt to discern general principles from specific examples - a key ingredient in the rigorous pursuit of knowledge. While Exotic Betting serves an introduction to the subject, more guidance and detailed exploration of the relation between risk and reward is sorely needed in any future text dedicated to exotic bet structuring. In looking at Crist's work, we can see the questions that need to be answered in an advanced treatment of the subject. For example, in devising his tickets for the Pick Four and Pick Six, he normally divides his horses into four groups - A's (likely winners), B's (horses that can win if the A's fail), C's (horses that could conceivably win, but are unlikely) and X's (eliminations). Based on these classifications, he then creates tickets with various combinations of the non-eliminated horses to cover a vast range of possibilities. While Crist gives some examples of his "Chinese Menu" selection process (e.g. three from Group A with one from Group C), there is no discussion of the reasons why certain combinations are used. As a result, the reader is left wondering why he determined that financial rewards are best served by these combinations, and how to make these adjustments to their wagers. The same problem occurs in discussing the amounts to bet on certain combinations. In fashioning his tickets, Crist mentions that when he plays a Pick Four ticket with four A's (the likeliest winners), he buys it four times to compensate for the lower payoff. Yet, much like the earlier discussion regarding the selection of combinations, no explanation is given on why or how these amounts were calculated. To the participant in the handicapping life, there is nothing worse than putting out capital at an undue amount of risk for the range and likelihoods of various returns, and, consequently, the horseplayer needs theoretical tools to help him assess when he has either overplayed or underplayed their capital.

Unlike the poker or chess player, whose shelves are filled with intellectual discussions of the finer points of the game, the advanced horse player looking for rigorous approaches to betting the game is still without much hope. Hopefully, in the coming years, an author - perhaps even Crist himself - will begin to develop the potential of the ideas in Exotic Betting, and bring much needed new insight to the advanced participant of the horse playing game. But, until that day, any player who finds himself boxing trifectas, baseballing exactas, or filling out a Pick 4 ticket with 2 horses in each leg, would be wise to pick up Exotic Betting to begin the process of deeper critical thinking.

just so much horse manu
A MUST READ! Uh - no it isn't. A GREAT BOOK! Uh - far from it. THE MOST IMPORTANT > IN 30 YEARS! Uh - probably the only book the guy read in 30 years._ (or Crist bought him a dinner to write that).
I'm only unhappy with the book because it teaches most horse players - little to nothing. FAR better explanations of trifecta's and pick 4's are available by google or AOL searches. What I did like about it was seeing/reading Steve Crist trying to make himself important. He is important to racing; just not in book form. Need to know about the pick 6 or a daily double. Sorry, not here. If I seem negative, it's only because this should have been a much better book.

Fantastic betting coaching
Great read, not for first timers at the track, but for people interested in how to properly structure their exotic bets.This is not a handicapping book. Look to Handicapping 101 by Brad Free for excellent advice in that regard.Crist illustrates how your money is best invested into exotic wagers when you have opinions of hoses in specific races, regardless of how you got them.Exactas, trifectas, superfectas, pick 3, pick 4, pick 6, tax issues, all covered very well in this book. buy it; with the money you save off not boxing your bets and emphasizing your opinions with multiple tickets you'll pay for it in (less than) a day at the track. btw, don't accidentally leave this book in a metro station, it gets taken. Trust me.

Covers the subject very well
The book is both informative and complex.Informative because the author explains common betting pitfalls that cost players more money than needed.His take on having an opinion on a race and betting accordingly is an excellent point and one that needs to be followed.Without the strong or hunch opinion, multi race or intra race bets are really no different than roulette.The book is complex because, while the author gives examples of how he did play a race card or how he might play a race card, the detailed thinking and math behind the actual wager can be hard to follow or even to appreciate.I somewhat disagree with his notion that to play the pick 6 with any chance of success one needs a big bank roll. His experience at the Breeders Cup 2005 where he prepared for days and wagered almost $10,000 and still lost the pick 6 undercuts this logic.My advice is if you are a good handicapper--get better, play your hunches, and go for a smaller pick 6 ticket. In the end, much like the person, cited by Crist in the book, who won a $3 million pick 6 with an $8 ticket, it still comes down to luck.

Exotic Betting takes more than luck
This book helps to eliminate wasteful plays. We must form a opinions, stick to them, and bet with conviction.This book helps us to understand what it takes to be a winner consistantly. ... Read more

Product Description
Janet has had a joyeous time illustrating her book. Her love of the horses shows in the sketches that are abundant throughout the book. The visual images, though humerous, help the reader recall important information.She has illustrated various comic strips in the past and has included sample pages.The abundance of illustrations make the reader want to turn the page- thisbook is fact filled but the illustrations make it fun to read! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great read
This book is a great read to get you started on the road to horse racing.I liked the section at that back that gave other good horse racing books and videos to read.Highly recommend.

Handy Book
A book which reassures all those amateurs along the way, that you don't have to be Gai Waterhouse or Bart Cummins to join the winners circle. Handy references to a broad range of subjects and written in a way, that takes much of the mysteries out of the whole subject.

From Dirt To Turf, There Is Room For An Owner With Big Dreams
It may come as a surprise to casual fans of horse racing but the vast majority of owners at most tracks are from area farms. These race horse owners - who are oftentimes trainers of their racers - continue to be the foundation of the sport at the numerous mid-level tracks nationwide.

Authors Janet Del Castillo and Lois Schwartz takes the reader through the paces to get a Thoroughbred to the races; from building a track on a farm, the exercising of the runners and how to haul them to and from the track.

Other key issues covered include how to properly manage a budget to make a successful run in the sport, training techniques to properly prepare a racer and the variety of legal medications that are used on the athletes. There is a good directory of race tracks and organizations throughout the country.

The book is a great resource for those looking to take that step into the sport or for fans looking to understand an important - but oftentimes overlooked - facet of the industry.

The next winner of the Kentucky Derby is not be clocking workouts in someone's "backyard" training track, but such a runner just may be the next summertime star at a nearby track. Backyard Race Horse describes how that can be accomplished through proper financial and strategic planning.

Nice place to start.
This is a very comprehensive book which covers a broad range of topics relative to training race horses.Because of it's broad scope it does not cover the minute details of training as some other books might...but as a survey of the subject it does fine.It is written well and organized extemely well.It is a good book to start with and will provide the reader with enough background information to be able to ask intelligent questions relative to the books subject matter.A good value. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Ainslie's Complete Guide
If you are new to horseracing, you need this book.If you are an old-timer at horseracing, you need this book.You cannot play a game unless you know the rules and understand the economics of the game.This book is the basic training all beginners need and the refresher all experienced players should turn to.It is timeless.It is not a book of "systems", it is a book about how the game is played from top to bottom.You will be so much better prepared to understand all the other "system" books AFTER you understand the nature of the game as it is explained in these pages.If you plan to buy only one book about horse playing, it should be this one.

So much to learn, So little time!
Ainslie takes it to the micro with way too much information for a novice live me. I really enjoyed learning of how the sport as a whole "works" and WHY there's so much information printed in the Daily Racing Form.

One of my favorites
Ainslie breaks down several factors that should be looked at when analyzing a race - speed, pace, trainer, class, form, etc.His writing style is great, the info is great, and it is a great primer for anyone just getting into the sport or wanting to improve their skills.Some of the jockey/trainer info is a little outdated, but I refer to the book often.Highly recommend.

Still a classic
What an eye opener it was when I stumbled on this fifteen years ago!Some of the material is dated, but the fundamentals are well covered and still relevant.Still a terriffic primer for someone wanting to learn the game.

Dated, but worth mining through...
Let's start with the obvious.Ainslie wrote in a different time: before exotic wagering, which he considered a gimmick, became 70+% of the daily handle.His specific advice about WPS betting and money management, as a result, should be discarded.Likewise, his advice about which trainers and jocks to follow has aged poorly.

At the same time, there's information in here that's invaluable, such as the sections on understanding trainer intent, and on post parade and paddock behavior.

This book has a special place in the history of handicapping, and for that reason alone, is worth having, but in the modern player's arsenal, it should be an added coloring and not the central philosophy. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

incomplete...
I would like to commend the author on the lovely presentation and historical photos, but where in the world is the great filly Gallorette?Why isn't she in this book among the greats?I am astounded that he left her out, no great horse racing encyclopedia is worthy without mention of Gallorette. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Six Men Out
In what could be described as devastating a blow to the Thoroughbred industry as the Black Sox was to pro baseball, six jockeys admitted that races were being fixed in a West Coast scandal nearly 70 years ago which became a national sensation.

And as with the Black Sox, the turf scheme features a flamboyant wise guy, naive athletes and a fumbling, bumbling judicial system that seemingly could not clearly remove fact from fiction.

Author John Christgau delivers a solid stretch drive to blow the dust off a forgotten chapter in "The Sport of Kings," with the action focused on Los Angeles-based bookmaker Bernard "Big" Mooney and his reluctant partner, Albert Siler.

Siler fits the profile Mooney is looking for in a patsy: a teen-age, apprentice jockey, who can be easily manipulated through threats of death. Mooney would demand that jockeys like Siler "pull" their horses during a fixed race; which is holding the runners back from doing their best, while making it appear the equine athlete and jockey are trying as hard as they can for the win.

Siler tries to extricate from the web of deceit without destroying his professional career, which was the longest shot in this oftentimes complicated tote board of criminals, characters and creeps who all wanted a piece of the action, until the plot unravels to a shocking conclusion.

This is a slice of American History during an era when Seabiscuit reigned supreme, while other talented racers were reined in from chasing turf immortality through immoral ways. ... Read more

Product Description
In Cajun Racing: From the Bush Tracks to the Triple Crown, longtime turf writer Ed McNamara takes you on a wild ride way down south to Louisiana. There you'll meet a remarkably resilient people with a passion for racing and an unmatched touch with racehorses. In Cajun country, there's a lot of character and a lot of characters, as superstar jockey Kent Desormeaux likes to say.

Take the legendary trainer Pierre LeBlanc, a wheeler-dealer who ran an illegal casino and won one of his best horses, Palomino Joe, in a card game. Then there's Pierre's son Pete LeBlanc, who bought Robby Albarado his first horse and saddle and taught him how to ride. It's a fast-paced history lesson rich in humor and local color as McNamara interweaves the life stories of some of the great names in Cajun racing--Romero, Desormeaux, Borel, Bernis, Delahoussaye, Delhomme, Albarado, and many others.

Go back in time to Cajun Downs, a bush track that was a breeding ground for dreams and great careers. With no rule books or stewards to keep things in line, Cajun creativity knew no bounds in trying to gain an edge. Using anything from foul-smelling alligator grease to a crazed rooster tied to a horse's mane was considered fair game--but even after the hottest contests, winners and losers usually remained friends.

Family ties are everywhere in Cajun land, with fathers schooling sons from sunup to sundown and brother battling brother in no-holds-barred match races. Meet Cecil, Kenward, and younger brother "Tee Red" Bernis, who began riding at age 5 and was so small that his feet were tied with twine to keep him from falling off. Then there's the hilarious saga of Cynthia, a male monkey with a weakness for green crème de menthe and a vendetta against roosters. People wonder about some of their stories, but as the Bernis boys will tell you, they're all true and they have witnesses.

Along with all the laughs, there's nostalgia and tears for the inevitable demise of the bush tracks and the old Evangeline Downs. They faded away but will never be forgotten. Besides great stories and lots of fun, they produced more world-class riders per capita than any place on Earth. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Cajun Racing
I purchased 15 copies of "Cajun Racing" for horsemen racing here at Delta Downs in Vinton, LA.Many of the jockeys and trainers mentioned in this book signed the books.

Comments about this book were excellent.Most felt the author had done a really good job of researching the unique Cajun culture.I'll probably order some more copies after Jan. 1.Some gave these books for Christmas gifts.

All in all, this was excellent coverage of the Cajun racing subject which hadn't had a book since 1978.

A good read
The author interviewed many of racing's top trainers, jockeys, and breeders, who just happen to be from southern Louisiana.The stories are entertaining and reveal a truly magical culture.Although many of the people written about in the book are far from perfect - they are all colorful and authentic.
All in all, Cajun Racing is a fun, fast read that was thoroughly enjoyable. ... Read more

Product Description
The home run horse, the runner that makes your fortune and changes your life, can come from anywhere. This book will explore the quest for the superior Thoroughbred, who takes up the search for a life-changing horse and why they do it with limited success. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The Homerun horse
I have fallen in love with race horses and read about them, visit them in Kentucky, watch all the major races and review races fromway back when.

Excellent survey of horse racing in america
The author, Glenye Cain, has been covering Barbaro for The Daily Racing Form. She sent me her book after I had had a few conversations with her about Barbaro, a horse she adopted (indirectly) off the racetrack that had at one time been trained by Graham Motion, and horse related issues such as horse-slaughter. As someone closely involved in racing I enjoyed the book as it shed light on aspects of our industry in which I was less familiar (breeding / auctions etc). I do think, however, the book best serves those first learning about the thoroughbred industry and wanting to get a solid base of knowledge from which to then build. It is excellent.

The Home Run Horse Hits It!
A most interesting and arresting view of the Thoroughbred Horse Industry. Equally facinating to novice and experienced horsemen(women)alike.Horse racing at it's highest and lowest.

A vivid account of racing and the bloodstock business
Anyone with an interest in horseracing will enjoy Glenye Cain's behind-the-scenes look at the thoroughbred industry; and newcomers to the sport will find plenty to entertain them in these pages too. Cain has an eye for the details that make vivid this self-contained and expensive world: the quirks of the owners, breeders, trainers and horses. She conveys the atmosphere of the sales ring as wealthy owners do battle, of a stud farm late at night as a mare gives birth, of Churchill Downs racecourse as trainers prepare their expensive and fragile charges for the Kentucky Derby. In love with the industry, she does not neglect its darker side. After reading The Home Run Horse, you'll watch horseracing with new insight and enthusiasm. ... Read more

Product Description
The year is 1864 and twelve-year-old Gabriel, a recently freed slave, is making a name for himself throughout the state of Kentucky. Blessed with a competitive spirit and a natural talent for racing horses, Gabriel is burning up the horse track and stacking up wins for horse owner Mister Giles.

When Mister Giles asks him to ride Aristo, a powerful but unpredictable horse in the Saratoga Chase, Gabriel jumps at the chance to compete against some of the greatest jockeys in the North. But horse racing can be a nasty business when the stakes are so high. And Gabriel learns soon enough that being freed is not the same as being free. Not when your skin is black.

Now Gabriel has more on his mind than winning the race. He has to keep his horse safe and fend off trouble. More than ever Gabriel misses his father, who has gone off to fight with the Union Army. Who else can he trust?

In the second book in her historical fiction trilogy set during the Civil War, author Alison Hart continues to explore the complex relationships between black and white, slave and master, and North and South. The result is a gripping story that brings to life the danger and drama of a time when war split the country and human beings were divided into the owner and the owned based on the color of their skin.

Background historical material and photos included. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

A Classic
Ainsle gives you a plethora of harness racing data and information in this legendary publication. Although seemingly outdated, there is still plenty of valuable harness racing history here for newcomers and oltimers as well. I first read this book in the 70's and most of the harness drivers mentioned are no longer with us. But, the techniques remain relavent and helpful in plotting your bettingstrategy. The book remains a must read for all harness fans.

Most important book on Harness racing
Though this guide was released in the late 1970's, I consider this to be the most important book written on Harness Racing.The book is well written and interesting, it is not an angles on gambling on races type of book.Instead it is an honest straight forward approach to attending Harness Racing and understanding the sport, its history and creating speed ratings from the racing program.Even regular attendees of the races can learn from this book, and enjoy the read as well. ... Read more

Product Description
Winner of the Benjamin Franklin Award!

Cigar: America's Horse is an engaging true story of how a champion racehorse is made. Follow Cigar from hisearly disappointment to his rise from obscurity as he equals the modern-day record for consecutive victories.

Travel with author Jay Hovdey as he chronicles this superstar's dominance of North American racetracks and the desert sands of the United Arab Emirates. Witness when Cigar becomes the richest racehorse of all time.

Meet owner Allen Paulson, trainer Bill Mott, and jockey Jerry Bailey who, despite their myriad accomplishmentsearned over a lifetime in the game, will always be remembered for their association with one horse -- Cigar.

The epilogue now includes Cigar's final races, aborted stud career, and retirement to the Kentucky Horse Park. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

excellent Amazon.com service
We continue to be completely satisfied with the excellent service we receive through Amazon.com and its affiliates. Everything is sent quickly (usually ahead of the estimated delivery date), cleanly, in excellent condition, and exactly as advertised. Thank all those involved with this process.

The unconquerable, invincible, unbeatable, Cigar!
This horse was a wonder horse and clearly deserves to have his name mentioned alongside the great Citation. Citation may have won the triple crown, but Cigar conquered the breeder's cup and Dubai world cup, things Citaion never even got the chance to do. This horse was wonderful. The trainer conditioned him carefully and fully, the owner raced him heartily and responsibly, and the jockey rode him wonderfully. Truely one of the greats of our time. I would strongly reccomend this book.

What a Horse, What a Team
I am happy to report that the writer for this book is in the same league as the horse he's writing about. The result?A thoroughly enjoyable story of how Cigar, the charismatic son of Palace Music and Solar Slew, carved a name for himself in racing history and in the process became the sweetheart of the sports world.

Author Jay Hovdey did his homework for the book, tracking down and interviewing all the major players in Cigar's life from the folks who foaled him to those who tended to his needs as he raced.He also took the time to get to know and probe beneath the surface of the public exteriors of the people who surrounded Cigar.This means that the reader has a feeling for how things unfolded behind the scenes as Hovdey relates Cigars meteroic rise to stardom.What makes it even sweeter is that Cigar was a late bloomer with delicate legs that resulted in all but one of his initial 11 races being run on grass.As it turns out, Cigar didn't like grass, and it wasn't until his bones had a chance to strengthen and someone in the stables lobbbied strongly for giving him a try on the dirt that Cigar came into his own.And what a show it was!Not only did he win 16 times in succession, equally Citation's record, but he beat out the best in international competition after being shipped to Arabia where he ran in unfamiliar surroundings on a less than ideal track.

If this book lacks anything, it's a personal connection with the horse by the author.Although Hovdey does a great job of relating what others have to say about Cigar, you never have the feeling that he himself has connected with the spirit of the colt.He talks about Cigar from a distance, removed by time and reporting from the immediate physical presence of the animal. Time and again you read that Cigar's exercise jockeys thought he was smart, how he loved peppermints, that his trainer always knew when he was in a playful mood, that he always carried himself with dignity, but in the end these are all second hand accounts.You never get the feeling that you are actually in the presence of Cigar, running your hand down the muscled neck, smelling his sweat as he cools out, seeinig his one, white-ringed eye roll in your direction as he listens to what you're saying, the feel of his lips as he plucks one of the peppermint candies he was so fond of from your hand, smelling that sweet mix of straw, manure, linament and sweat that is so much a part of all stables. Perhaps because I've spent time around horses I missed these very personal touches which would have brought the horse alive for me.

In the end this is a very competent, well-written book, but it lacks the spark that would have made it a 5-star recommendation for me.

Great book!
I really enjoyed reading this book, although I feel that it doesn't really say all that much about the great big bay, it mainly talks about his owner, trainer, and jockey; although Cigar is also mentioned quite alot. In the middle of the book, it contains some wonderful photographs of Cigar and his connections.

Could I give it six stars?
I certainly enjoyed this book. It was well written, easy to understand, and had funny and enjoyable parts often. I don't think I sat down and didn't smile after ten minutes of reading. I loved the pictures, they weresimply magnificent and portrayed the beauty, power, and grace of Cigarwonderfully. The writer really went into the emotions of the horse, notjust the people associated with Cigar. The writer really told the storywell, and I would read anymore of the books he wrote. I would definatlyreccomend this to anyone, even if they don't know squat about horse racing,they would have a much better understanding of it after they read thisbook! ... Read more