Favorite racing books

[ceejay]

I have an Amazon gift certificate that I want to use while they are still open. I'm looking for ideas from members about favorite racing or general horse books?

[Dave Schwartz]

CeeJay,

How about the Cynthia Par times? <G>

[Druther]

I just ordered that new Seabiscuit book - had a $25 gift certificate and along with shipping the certificate more than covered it.

[smf]

Ceejay,

The local writer here (gary west) had a book out a couple of years back that was very humorous. 'Razoo at the Races' is the title. Not sure if amazon.com has it tho.


sidenote.......
Jayd Schuyler already has a win here for Eddie G. Since Jayd replaced Petalino for Lazy E Ranch, I don't recognize her (him?)-- never seen this person before. Since OP is still running I don't know if Schuyler is here or in Ark.

If that was Schuyler giving instructions to Cliff Berry in the walking ring, she's pretty sure of herself. Seems confident. Perhaps Eddie will be a force here again.

[GR1@HTR]

SMF,

You forgot Chuck e Cheese's book
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1893793028/qid=986579348/sr=1-2/ref=sc_b_3/107-6679929-8902913

My Favorite is
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0452270421/ricks/107-6679929-8902913

[smf]

GR1,

Forgot about Badone's book. Guess he had an impact with the bettors here. Perhaps that's why Mondamin can get $14.80 here, and (my all time favorite) Heritage of Gold at $14.40 on turf against a bunch of claimers in the 1999 Irving Distaff.

[Lefty]

I think everyone should have a copy of Pace Makes The
Race(New edition by Hambelton, Schmidt)and Modern
Pace Handicapping/Brohamer and Commonsense Handicapping/Mitchell.

[Tom]

I agree with Lefty-Pace Makes the Race-the hardcover
first book, not the soft"booklet" is good book to read even if you don't embrace the pacce methjod outlined-a lot of good hancicapping insights and idead are talked about there. Mike Pizzolla's chapters are great, and his array of laying out the race is very helpful. And as usual,
Dick Schmidt is just outstanding as a writer and teacher. The Sartin Follow Ups that he edited were pure treasures.

Tom

[Dick Schmidt]

Well, I'll be darned. Someone still reads the book Tom and I wrote! I blush at all the nice things said. The book is still available at a few speciality book stores. The hardback is long out of print, but the newer edition with the improved numbers is still available. If you can't find it, feel free to drop me an e-mail.

Dick

[Aussieplayer]

Well, one of my favourite American books is, "Handicapping Speed" by Charles Carroll. Interesting comment you make Karl in another thread. Did you not like his speed ratings or is it just the later additions of daily variants etc. Don't you think you need track-track variants and daily variants? I don't know about where you are, but many places here rain all the time, the tracks are not a uniform shape, different quality horses run at many different tracks, and (on any given day) horses are shipped in from all over the place as we don't race in "meets" and circuits as you guys do.
I like Charles Carroll's basis for his ratings and his studies of thoroughbred sprints.

Mind you - if any of you want to help a would-be speed rater under the (above mentioned) circumstances, I'm all ears!!

Regards
Steve

[karlskorner]

Steve;

The original progam found in the back of "Speed Handicapping" is the program I use, along with my own, it does not include SR or VAR, not does mine. It was originally written for Quarter horse racing. Since than Carroll hss expanded on it adding SR/VAR and other factors. I have a copy of his new program and it's .................. and I have told him so. The way to sell something is too add the words "new, impoved, revised etc.

I live in S. Florida and attend the 3 tracks daily (GP, HIA and CRC) the tracks are designed to run off rain, a thunderstorm in the 4th race would leave the track fairly dry by the 7th race.

Aside from the GP meet, we are pretty much a closed circuit and shippers are not a problem.

Karl

[karlskorner]

Steve;

You may want to go to Charles Carroll's site and read some interesting articles by Carrol and Joe Takach

www.icapper.com/

Karl

[Tom]

Originally posted by karlskorner
Steve;

You may want to go to Charles Carroll's site and read some interesting articles by Carrol and Joe Takach

www.icapper.com/

Karl

There is an interesting serires of article being added to each week-they are right at the point where they sttopped the series last October-the nest couple of weeks should be good reading.
Tom

[Tom]

I think the books I got the most out of are:
Ainsle's Complete Guide
Pace Makes the Race
Modern Pace Handicapping (Brohammer)
Handicapper's Condition Book (Quinn)
Beyer on Speed
Thoroughbred Form Cycles (Crammer)
Fast Track to Thoroughbred Profits (Crammer)
Real Life Handicapping (Litfin)
and of course,
Winning at the Races-Bill Quirrin
and his fololw up where he introduces pace figures.
Tom

[anotherdave]

My favs:

The Winning Horseplayer (Beyer)

My $50,000 Year At the Race (Beyer)

Horse Racing Logic (Glendon Jones)- I don't hear much about this book, but I think it has some great stuff in it.

The New Expert Handicappers (Quinn)

Modern Pace Handicapping (Brohamer)

[Larry Hamilton]

Besides most of the books mentioned above, there are others that would benefit a student of the game. Listed below are 3 of my favorites.

The "Mathematics of Horse Racing" (out of print I think) this book introduced me to the concept of how to calculate impact values and z-scores. Additionally, the author, David Fogel, discusses the horse racing variables (such as beaten lengths in the last race) that he measured and determined to be important. Also he outlined a method to measure new variables, such as those found at only your favorite track. Fascinating work.

Many years ago, I became interested in computers. Eventually, my job included building models for various systems. One of the first books I read that applies to ALL systems was, "Chaos-Making a New Science". This is heavy reading, but the gist is that "stuff happens" and you may not have a clue how or why even if you think you are looking at the whole system.

One final book i would like to mention is "Why FLip A Coin", by H.W. Lewis. This is particularly helpful in decision making at any level. Game theory (including parimutual games) and probability are discussed in English without a Greek Symbol in sight.

Enjoy

[ceejay]

Thank you, everyone, for the input.

[Slider]

Mine are:
1. Figure Handicapping - Quinn
2. Recreational Handicapping - Quinn
3. Modern Pace Handicapping - Brohamer

All beginners should read Recreational Handicapping It is a text book for handicappers.

[PaceAdvantage]

My favorites:

Modern Pace Handicapping
Any of the Beyer books
Pace Makes The Race
The Best Of Thoroughbred Handicapping (by Quinn)
More Basic Betting (Jasper)

among others....



==PA

[Larry Hamilton]

PA, this gives me an idea for your site. How about a section set aside for your members commentary on books. Sort of like a "book-report" section. Might be fun and would certainly be a mix of advertising and information. Just let the members put up a book and comment on it. Leave ability for other members to extend or discuss the comments on the same book. It would give writers an opportunity to discuss their own work.

For Instance, when we logged in to this bb, one of the choices could be "Library". Each new book gets a tag to go to. The first would probably be "Modern Pace Handicapping"--then in its own area, we can dissect the book

[Dave Schwartz]

Boy, do I like that idea.

[baravot]

Great idea, Larry!

[Dick Schmidt]

I'll be glad to kick it off with a really splendid review of Pace Makes The Race, an especially fine book that should be read by everyone who has ever placed a bet, thought about placing a bet or been within 100 yards of a racetrack. Can't recomend it highly enough.

Dick Schmidt

[Dave Schwartz]

SChmidt,

LOL

[Druther]

This book isn't about handicapping but it's an excellent book about how Calumet Farms came about - and came apart.

It's called Wild Ride and should still be in print. It's very well written and a most interesting read.

[PaceAdvantage]

Larry and others,


I'm open to the idea of setting up a separate section to discuss handicapping books. I'm not sure from reading your note whether you want a distinct section of the board to be devoted to it (General Discussion, Selections, Handicapping Software, Handicapping Books, Other....), or something else. This thread has gotten over 805 views (albeit many are repeat viewers), so it certainly is a popular topic. Let me know guys what you want/think, and I'll have it up before the weekend....


==PA

[baravot]

PA,

I vote for a distinct section called Handicapping Books.

By the way, this is kick-ass BBS software. Thanks for providing this forum.

Best regards

[Aussieplayer]

PA,

I reckon rather than have a board for it, we could maybe send in reviews and perhaps you could post up the well written one's up somewhere.
On the other hand, another board may be easier!!
Or you could turn the software board into "books/software" :)

Steve

[Richard]

I suggest BETTING THOROUGHBREDS by Sreve Davidowitz.

[JimG]

PA:

I think a separate section called Handicapping Books or Library is a good idea. Hopefully, folks will not just suggest titles to read but WHY the particular title is a good read or learning tool.

Jim

PS: This is the best board on the net for horse racing discussion, bar none.

[NNMan]

James Quinn
- High-Tech Handicapping in the Information Age
- The Best of Thoroughbred Handicapping
- Recreational Handicapping
- The ABC's of Thoroughbred Handicapping

William Quirin
- Thoroughbred Handicapping

Barry Meadows
- Money Secrets at the Racetrack

John Whitaker
- Handicapping Trainers

Dick Mitchell
- Winning Thoroughbred Strategies
- Commonsense Handicapping
- Commonsense Betting

Steve Davidowitz
- Betting Thoroughbreds

William Scott
- Total Victory at the Track

James Freeman / David Skapura

Neural Networks - Algorithms, Applications, and Programming Techniques

[baravot]

One of my favorite books, although I believe it's long out of print, is Tom Ainslie's
THE COMPLEAT HORSEPLAYER. Published in the mid 60's, it gives a sense of what the game was like before computers. I especially like the part where he describes a week of play at Monmouth and shares his thinking process in making selections and passing races. Fun and easy to read, if you can find a copy.

[Tom]

Originally posted by baravot
One of my favorite books, although I believe it's long out of print, is Tom Ainslie's
THE COMPLEAT HORSEPLAYER. Published in the mid 60's, it gives a sense of what the game was like before computers. I especially like the part where he describes a week of play at Monmouth and shares his thinking process in making selections and passing races. Fun and easy to read, if you can find a copy.

Amen to that-Great book. It was the turning point for me-gave me my first structured approach to handciapping. This was befor computers and I had stack of index card with all the rules and plus factors hand-written to take to the track with me.
It was a great joy that I actually met the man at a Sartin Seminar in Saratoga a few years ago.
It did a lot for my confidence to watch my "mentor" so to speak sitting at a seminar and asking questions.
This is relatd to another thread currently being talked about-those who truly know the most are those who are still asking questions.
Tom

[Aussieplayer]

PA and others. I notice that you have good opinions of Tom Hambleton's book, "Pace makes the race" which I think was co-authored by others.

I noticed whilst surfing that Tom wrote another book, "Form Points, A numerical evaluation."

Anyone read that book and could give me a review?

Always interested to find out if an American tome might be applicable to racing down here!

Kind Regards
Steve

[Dick Schmidt]

Dear Aussieplayer,

I was Tom's co-author on "Pace Makes the Race" and wrote the introduction to Form Points. Tom first discussed his ideas about form in "PMTR", then spent a lot of time trying to turn form into a numerical rating. To a large extent he succeeded. The Form Point central theory is that you give and take away points based on what the horse shows in his history. Plus for lots of workouts or races, minus for a class rise after a bad race etc. etc.

I don't know if the book is still in print or not. I moved to England for a year and Tom moved to Kentucky and then moved on. I've lost track of him. Some of his ideas have subsequently been challenged, such as penalties for layoffs, which hurt a horse, but hurt its prices even more, but overall the work is still very sound. Combined with a bit of common sense and handicapping, it can really help, especially the novice or casual player.

Especially in this modern age of computers, pace and numbers, the old "classical" ideas of class, form and breeding are having a bit of a comeback among a few shrewd players. Remember, that by definition, whatever the majority at the track does is wrong.

Dick

[PaceAdvantage]

Originally posted by Aussieplayer
PA and others. I notice that you have good opinions of Tom Hambleton's book, "Pace makes the race" which I think was co-authored by others.....

Steve,

I never had a chance to read the "Form Points" book. Perhaps you could start a new thread with the title of the book, and others would be more inclined to comment? (Hint hint....trying to get this section of the board moving in the right direction..... :) )


==PA

[karlskorner]

Although I have read most of the books mentioned earlier, I was waiting to see if anyone would recommend, in my opinion, one of the best.

Written by Henry Kuck (creator of Kuck's ratings) and it is called Winner's File (The logic behind Successful Handicapping).

It never "took off" like some of the others, mostly because it does not offer "secret" forumals and methods to beat the races.

It covers one very basic subject. HOW TO READ THE RACING FORM'S PAST PERFORMANCES. Something that very few of todays handicappers do. Download that sucker and zap it into the old computer and Bill Gates and my program will make me a rich man.

The last 2 chapters covering the Bounce Theory (which he calls his THUD THEORY) is worth the price of the book alone.

Karl

[nagwa]

hi, great forum...looking for some books on handicapping ..anyone reccomend..any links..do any members use money earned as an assessment

[prank]

The "Mathematics of Horse Racing" (out of print I think) this book introduced me to the concept of how to calculate impact values and z-scores. Additionally, the author, David Fogel, discusses the horse racing variables (such as beaten lengths in the last race) that he measured and determined to be important. Also he outlined a method to measure new variables, such as those found at only your favorite track. Fascinating work.

Many years ago, I became interested in computers. Eventually, my job included building models for various systems. One of the first books I read that applies to ALL systems was, "Chaos-Making a New Science". This is heavy reading, but the gist is that "stuff happens" and you may not have a clue how or why even if you think you are looking at the whole system.

One final book i would like to mention is "Why FLip A Coin", by H.W. Lewis. This is particularly helpful in decision making at any level. Game theory (including parimutual games) and probability are discussed in English without a Greek Symbol in sight.

Enjoy

Hey, a like-minded guy!

I went to check on the first book you mentioned, and was amused that the 3rd result on Amazon was "Homelessness and Social Policy" - OUCH!

I think that the Gleick book is a bit dated. Actually, I'd recommed "Fooled by Randomness" by Nicholas Taleb. Taleb's awfully full of himself and how smart he thinks he is, but he's got some very useful examples, which are unfortunately not part of the common education that people need to have about probability and statistics. Other people seem to have less difficulty swallowing his ego, but I'm seriously irked. So, take that as an indication of how highly I think of the rest of the book that I still strongly recommend it.

For anyone with a modestly computational and statistical bent, I most strongly recommend "Elements of Statistical Learning" by Hastie, Tibshirani, and Friedman. It was a classic from the day it was published, just a few years ago.

Prank

[PriceAnProbability]

Dear Aussieplayer,

I was Tom's co-author on "Pace Makes the Race" and wrote the introduction to Form Points. Tom first discussed his ideas about form in "PMTR", then spent a lot of time trying to turn form into a numerical rating. To a large extent he succeeded. The Form Point central theory is that you give and take away points based on what the horse shows in his history. Plus for lots of workouts or races, minus for a class rise after a bad race etc. etc. Dick

Tom has a power rating method?

What you call "form point central" is actually the basic thesis behind any power rating, and "class ratings" are actually the closest ratings that handicappers use to power ratings.

The question is, however, where do you begin giving and taking away the points? The "form point" still has to be guessed.

(this sounds a lot like how I do my ratings).

[PriceAnProbability]

hi, great forum...looking for some books on handicapping ..anyone reccomend..any links..do any members use money earned as an assessment

You mean like when a NYBred runs second 32 times in a row and earns $150k without winning a single race?

Nah.