Customer Reviews

THE BEST and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I enjoyed "The Best and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing" enormously. I disagreed with some of the author's choices (which is to be expected for any list-type book) but that's the fun - it will definitely spark a good debate. Steve Davidowitz doesn't pull any punches when he's critical of something, either. I think even the most casual racing fan would enjoy this book - it's a great read cover-to-cover, but it's also the kind of book you can pick up and grab little bites of.

There are loads of interesting stories: how some aspects of the heroic struggle to save Barbaro were built on knowledge gained from the tragedy of Ruffian back in 1975; the highs and lows of Sunny's Halo; and the iron will of Personal Ensign. I loved the author's story about Ruffian in the 1974 Spinaway at Saratoga - Davidowitz watched her act like a "nut case" all the way to the gate, and he thought "Ruffian - what a phony!" and bet a lot of money on the horse who eventually finished second to her - by 12-3/4 lengths!

Of course, you'll read about the big names: Laffit Pincay Jr, Jerry Bailey, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Native Dancer, and even Barbaro - but perhaps the most fun were the sections entitled "Before My Time", "Best Rivalries" and even "The Biggest Dud At Stud". At the end of the book, the author closes with a section called "Ideas and Issues" which contains some real thought-provoking topics such as drugs and the fragility of the modern Thoroughbred.

I highly recommend this extremely interesting and well-written book.

If you're the type of reader that loves a personal approach to rigorous analysis, you'll want to read The Best and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing, by Steve Davidowitz. I reviewed the volume for The Racing Journal [...], and enjoyed the assignment immensely!

Davidowitz backs up his opinions with the experience of more than three decades of professional handicapping, race reporting and editing, and equine consulting. The author of Betting Thoroughbreds and former editor of The American Racing Manual brings his personal experience and broad research background to this 300-plus page exposition.

The first chapter grabs your attention right away - and might provoke an argument or two among race fans. "Stunners: The Greatest Upsets and worst DQs of Modern Times" counts down from number 10 to number one, entitled "THE GREATEST UPSET OF MEDERN TIMES: The least-appreciated, most astounding upset of them all." His headings aren't usually that long and adamant, so you know you'd better hunker down and pay attention for the next eight pages of explanation and storytelling...

Davidowitz doesn't apply a strict formula to his listings. Some reveal the top -or bottom - 10 events or individuals. Some are limited to three, others run to a dozen or more. The final chapter, "The Very Best of All Time of Any Age or Sex," is a relatively unadorned list of 20.

Now, I'm not going to ruin the fun by revealing any of Davidowitz's picks. Find a volume for yourself, pencil notes in the margins, and share his opinions - and your own - with other friends who are racing fans!

Steve Davidowitz has written a highly personal and thoroughly enjoyable recap of his life as a racing fan and writer. The book, fortunately, is 90% about the best and 10% about the worst, although Davidowitz doesn't pull punches in the spots where he is critical.

There are several unique stories--my favorites had to do with jockey Steve Cauthen and "supertrainer" Oscar Barrera--that by themselves were worth the price of the book. Reading this book is like talking horses with a great new friend.

As you read the book, you'll doubtless disagree with some of Davidowitz' rankings, but that's the whole idea. The book will make a particularly good companion on a flight to see a special racing event.

Steve Davidowitz's latest is a lively, entertaining, and informative examination of thoroughbred racing's modern era.

In this superb book, he share's his observations and opinions openly, taking his readers for an engaging ride through his long career as a writer and handicapper.

A masterpiece by one of racing's best writers - and I hope that he gets the chance to update it 20 years from now!

As the writer will admit himself, this book is designed to get people thinking and starting their own debates. It's a great place to start in that respect. There is much here that leaves you nodding in agreement or shaking your head in disagreement, but either way racing fans will enjoy reading Davidowitz's opinions and stories behind them, then making your own judgements on the topics he opens. The book is a good read that will keep you jumping from chapter to chapter.

I read Steve Davidowitz's "Professionals Guide" a few years ago and it ranks as one of my all-time favorite handicapping books. His latest release, "The Best and Worst", once again hits the mark as an excellent and informative read.

"The Best and Worst" isn't a handicapping book but instead is more of a history lesson of thoroughbred horse racing as seen through the eyes of one of the sports best players. Davidowitz covers a vairety of topics such as "The Best Jockeys", "The Greatest Upsets", "The Worst Disqualifications", and many, many more. For the most part, Davidowitz examines each of these topics from his own vast experiences within the game and as a result he brings life to the discussion of each topic. Davidowitz doesn't give a stale account but many times is able to weave a fascinating personal story about an individual or an event.

Davidowitz has a very friendly and easy-going writing style that allows the reader to immediately become immersed in the book. In "The Best and Worst", Davidowtiz doesn't claim that his rankings are the final authority on the subject of best jockeys, trainers, etc. Although to a reader with the knowledge of his considerable experience within the game, it is hard not to come to that conclusion.

If you are a die-hard horse racing fan and want to relive some of the great moments of the sport, you will enjoy this book. If you are a causal fan of the game, you will enjoy this book. And if you know nothing about horse racing at all but are interested in learning more about the sports history, I think you will enjoy this book.

In the end, "The Best and Worst" is a wonderful account of many of the important events in horse racing history, most of which were experienced first hand by the author. Davidowitz has once again written a book that will stand alone on the book case of any horse racing fan.

How wonderful to have available not just another well written book on horseracing, but one that can also serve as an historical reference for detailing the best and worst of both man and beast produced by this sport over the years. From little known facts to a deep dive into some of racing's more popular myths, the author's years of personal involvement in the sport give credibility to his insightful jockey, horse (and racetrack) profiles. I was fully engaged throughout. A truly fun read. I'm a big fan!

Over 20 years ago I read "Betting Thoroughbreds" written by Steve Davidowitz. It captured my destiny and spun me right in the thick of the Thoroughbred Racing world. I haven't stopped since, and now Steve has done it again with a wonderfully written book aptly named "The Best and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing". Davidowitz's journey through the greatest jockeys and best trainers, into the most accomplished owners, the behind the scenes look into the Stewards stand, and the best of racetracks, callers and horseplayers, is a read as if you were right there with the greatest of seats right on the finish line. I rate this book with 4 and 1/2 stars. I would have given it a five but I am looking for Davidowitz to take his talent another 16th of a mile! I recommend this book for anyone who has a passion and love for the wonderful world of thoroughbred racing!

I have a very large collection of books on thoroughbred racing. They cover the gamut from owners to breeders to trainers to jockeys to players. I thought I knew pretty much all there was to know about this sport and its athletes. This books was a pleasant surprise in that in the first twenty pages I found new information on horses I had read what I thought were complete biographies about. I would recommend this book to anyone new or old to this sport. It will give you an "inside" view of what these beautiful creatures go through on their journey to become champions.

In addition to being a great handicapper, Steve Davidowitz is a master storyteller. In his newest book, "The Best and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing," he marries to great effect his insights into the game of horse racing, his collection of tales gathered through decades hanging out on the backside of almost every U.S. racetrack and his strong opinions. The book consists of a series of lists of the sport's best -- everything from best trainers, jockeys, racecallers and horseplayers -- to the worst, notably the most hideous DQs he has witnessed. The result is an entertaining book that has something for every racing fan, from neophytes to "hard boots," and one that is sure to stir the sort of animated discussion that Steve is known for.