Steve Davidowitz has passed at 77
 

https://www.horseracingnation.com/ne...dead_at_77_123

One of the first books I read was his seminal "Betting Thoroughbreds...".

I didn't always agree with his opinion but respected it.

WOW! Sad RIP:rip: my condolences

:rip:

From what I read about him...he seems to have been a more controversial figure than I initially thought. What about his "opinions" did people find so 'disagreeable'?

He clearly loved the sport.


http://www.fleurworld.com/image/cach...et-600x600.jpg

I loved his books - an excellent writer for Horse Handicappers.
My condolences to his family and friends.

RIP. Thanks for all the contributions to our sport.

Thanks for the many many contributions that you shared with us all in this sport that we love so very much. Most sincere condolences to your family and friends. Rest in Peace sir.

Worked with Steve in the mid 90's at Sam Houston, he was very willing to go out of his way and talk about racing whenever I wanted to. He was a good guy, and he will be missed.

I never met him in person, spoke to him a couple of times on the phone. We both agreed that Ruffian was the fastest horse we ever saw up to a mile. Funny how I remember that. RIP Steve.

Met him a few times and I have a signed copy of a his book.

Good guy. My thoughts to his family and friends.

He will be missed.

Allan

got to meet mr davidowitz a couple decades ago at the old world series of handicapping at penn national. signed my copy of bt and took a few minutes to discuss pace figures. seemed like a really nice guy.

rest in peace.

Sad news. After hearing Beyer say that Davidowitz was his inspiration I went out and read his book. I was not disappointed. He was one of handicapping's seminal writers.
RIP Steve.

Good question. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but he apparently rubbed some people the wrong way with his opinions - though I think it was more of a personality thing versus handicapping. I know there were some negative posts about him on a thread here a few years back when he was attempting to get a gofundme project to write his next book - apparently not being a wealthy handicapper detracted from his reputation.

Personally, I consider myself a quasi-disciple of Davidowitz, because what I got out of his book was that a player needed a comprehensive approach to pick winners consistently. And like Davidowitz (apparently), I've struggled much more with the wagering and money management side of the game versus the handicapping angles.

Betting Thoroughbreds was the first of many handicapping books I've purchased back in the mid 1980s when learning the game, and it has been a mid-level work that has stood the test of time, IMHO. He covered a lot of different topics in a game that seems to be dominated by specialists, and as a public handicapper had to grind through the process of selecting horses in countless passable races.

He may have had his faults, but unlike many of the characters you meet at the racetrack, he published his methods - and for that I'll be eternally grateful. :rip:, Mr. Davidowitz.

All the good ones are leaving us . . .
 

Sad to hear of his passing.

I have his book, Betting Thoroughbreds for the 21st Century within arms reach and I was closely following his blog Across the Board on Horse Racing Nation - I was wondering why he hadn't provided a recent article. Originator of the term "race track bias." All the good ones are leaving us.

May he rest in peace.

One thing that has become painfully obvious to me is that the serious horseplayers don't seem to be living long lives. Could it be that something within the game is affecting more than our financial well-being?