Here a few you left out..

Ainslie's Complete Guide to Thoroughbred Racing
Calibration Handicapping
Recreational Handicapping


Earl J

reckless
 

I don't see an email add for you. drop me a line at robertj1949@gmail.com and will send you the info.

Bob

Don't see an email add for you. drop me a line at robertj1949@gmail.com and will send you the info.

bob

A very important topic for newbies. Certainly not the first book to read, but perhaps the third. For those not familiar with the book, "condition" refers to the conditions of the race, not the condition of the horse. The details and examples in the book are dated, but the principles are more important than ever as racing secretaries write increasingly detailed conditions.

Also, I find it curious that 6 people recommended the 1997 edition of Steve Davidowitz's book, and only 2 recommended the 2009 edition. It has been a long time since I read either, but as I remember, Davidowitz was somewhat dismissive of pace handicapping in the first edition, more open to it in the 2009 edition.

I feel like in the world of super trainers, rebates, contests, drugs, etc that a lot of those older books have fallen by the way side.

While it's true that certain handicapping books contain nuggets of information which could prove helpful for the beginner...it's also true that these same books contain enough misinformation to do the novice player more harm than good. The bad thing about being a beginner is that he can't distinguish the useful nuggets from the unsubstantiated claims...and, consequently, he can be easily led astray.

There is no real need for handicapping books in today's wagering landscape. The beginner should instead open a modest account at the ADW of his choice...thus securing for himself the day's past-performances at near-zero cost. After that...he can proceed with his horse-betting education at his own pace, without any negative influence from the misinformed people around him. If he is smart, then he will make sure that his "tuition costs" are kept to a minimum...and if he ISN'T so smart, then his tuition will be as costly for him as mine was for me. In either case...his mistakes will be his own...and he will learn from them going forward.

I am an avid reader...and I've read every serious handicapping work that has been published during the last 37 years. As I now look back at my horseplaying life...it occurs to me that I could have put that reading time to much better use.

Diagree
 

I have to disagree. The book I recommended "SCIENTIFIC HANDICAPPING" Written in1963 covered most of the handicapping factors that I use today.
Speed
pace
class
form
weight
trainer
jockey
horse's appearance in the paddock and on the track
work outs
trouble
They had examples of how to compute speed figure and pace figures They had par times and parallel time charts way before Andy Beyers and Brohamer. The book was well written and easy to understand and I am sure it they were using their methods prior to 1963 they were winners. Granted we have better speed and pace figures now, but they were way ahead of the game then. I think if you had read this book you would recommend it to any beginning handicapper.

I have to agree with Thaskalos. Most handicapping books can yield a few bits of good information and a lot of misinformation. I think it is essential that a new gambler have a strong understanding of statistics and probability before diving into the data to make betting decisions.

"Which book..." questions get asked often here, and the same book-recommendations are given each time. And yet, these questions continue to be asked going forward...as if some "new recommendation" could perhaps provide the horse-betting puzzle's "missing pieces". If only things were that simple...:)

The only real "shortcut" that I've ever found in the world of gambling is the acquisition of a true mentor...someone who actually embodies the qualities that the floundering player is trying to develop within himself. Such a person may not even have to offer any "earth-shattering" advice at all. Just the conclusive proof of his EXISTENCE often gives all the motivation one needs in order to embark on his own journey through the horse-betting minefield. Because, while the "knowledge" is out there, the "motivation" seems to be lacking...and not just in the world of gambling. Look at how much "expert advice" exists today on the topics of "nutrition and fitness". And yet...that pesky obesity problem continues to grow among us. :)

The biggest revolution in modern handicapping is over course Beyer Speed Figures. I don't think a newbie can just go straight to Beyer's books. I think the best foundation for a new player is still Ainslie's Complete guide. If you start there you can get a better grasp of Beyer. From this point you can move onto pace data and other modern data. This is my history of development and I don't think a Handicapper can put data in proper perspective unless he understands the evolution of the data. Along with the understanding of data a player needs to develop a working knowledge of training methods. The person who had the most influence on my development always told me to learn how train and own a runner. This knowledge leads to knowing whether a horse is capable of winning today along with distinguishing whether he's fast enough to win. I don't play often enough to win trying to outsmart other speed handicappers. My method of winning these days is to use my knowledge of data to know when to bet against it.

Of course a mentor that has played for decades would be a good thing to have. But where does one find these mentors? My question had to do with someone who is brand new and doesn't know what a speed figure or class drop, is.

In that case...I suggest youtube. Succinct, and to the point. :ThmbUp:

I threw in the vote for Eng's "For Dummies" entry. Not terribly sexy but doesn't adhere to any gimmick and lays it all out for people new to the game. I've also read the Davidowitz and Crist books; they were more useful after I played for a while. Even now the Davidowitz book kind of rambles like an old man telling tales rather than a primer for the track; the good info is buried and seems outmoded by stats that point out the same things like key races. But it's probably the most comprehensive tome out there. Going exotic right out of the gate captivated me and led me astray as a beginner, although Crist's book is a very good treatise on that topic. Eng covers all the basics and still serves as a good reference for stuff I skipped like conditions. I'd like to check out Free's 101 book, that could be a good suggestion, I just haven't read it.

for the people who do not like reading books, I suggest a DVD set of one of the daily racing form handicapping expos to get a handle on types of factors some people take into consideration when betting.

The first two I would read are Handicapping 101 and then The Handicapper's Condition Book (didn't see that one listed).