Customer Reviews

Betting Synthetic Surfaces: Conquering Racing's Newest Frontier

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

 

 

Best book written to date for dealing with synthetic surfaces. The book is good at exposing myths and gives good statistical examples in support of its premises. Very honest in introducing the limits of statistics due to the limited number of races run over these surfaces relative to dirt and makes well founded assumptions based on most current data. Good approach to introducing the nuances of various and varied surfaces. A great primer, it is also a good book for anyone having wagered on these surfaces since their introduction. I recommend this book to anyone curious about synthetics who wants either general knowledge or to refine their handicapping.

First, some good, data regarding breeding and potential to run on synthetics is very good. The bad, its not in alpha order making it nearly impossible to use.
Other good,handicapping insights helpful to players of all calibers, no question. The bad, charts and reproductions are to small to read without a magnifying glass!!.
One of the most glaring issues that I personally disagree with and was evident in the breeders cup was that good form on turf was almost required. Author continually denies this saying that best horse will win.
Other not so good was lack of actual content. Take away the charts and form reproductions and there is not much to read.
Worth reading...yes...but...

Several years ago it seemed that synthetic racing surfaces were going to be a niche product in North America; mostly found at tracks which race through the frigid winter months.

But the evolution of the revolution has catapulted these surfaces into locations - and climates - throughout North America, which has made a puzzle for handicappers seem even more puzzling. This is where Bill Finley's outstanding analysis becomes the winning ticket.

In the first book out of the starting gate to explore the angles from the current data available, Finley takes the macabre out of the subject. "The modern horseplayer now has to learn the ins and outs of synthetic surfaces, which has some people horrified," he writes.

Through research from thousands of races, Finley delves into the brand differences of surfaces & track biases, running styles, pedigrees & sire lines, the "bounce" & training factors and racers making surface switches. "As it turns out, most synthetic surfaces are anything but slow, deep, and tiring," he says. "The bottom line is that synthetic surfaces are not that different from conventional dirt tracks."

Finley has a solid exploration into this new subject which gives any railbird a chance of finding success in this sweeping change of a landscape that is here to stay.

Bill Finley is the worst handicapper of my generation. How this dude can write a book on anything related to handicapping is beyond reason. He couldn't pick winners ( beyond the typical 2/5 in a 3 horse field) on dirt & turf and now he wants to lecture the masses on how to win(?) on a surface barely 2 yrs. running in the U.S.? I stopped buying the NY daily news b/c of him (and Jimmy Breslin) and have never looked back. Good Luck on that $5 exacta probable, Bill.

It's a book that helps to understand synthetic surfaces. However it's too early in the synthetic industry to mean much. Track bias can change from first to sixth race one day and remain solid the next.
I don't think that the author needed to by attacked by the 1 star reviewers. But I do think he probably tried to get the book out without enough time and trial on the subject.
Over-all, if you're into this part of the handicapping process it's probably worth checking out.

Betting Synthetic Surfaces must be supplemented with the latest results every six months to a year. If not suppplemented the contents of the book becomes stale. Notwithstanding. Mr. Finley is the first USA handicap writer to give sire information concerning the ability of their off-spring to run on synthetic surfaces.

This is a welcome addition to any racing library. My wife and I had the good fortune of meeting Bill Finley at a fast food restaurant in Saratoga prior to the races more than several summers ago. He was very cordial, and we shared mutual opinion on a Nick Zito trained turf frontrunner expected to go at very enticing odds that afternoon. As I recall, Saratoga had experienced an unusually dry and hot August and the turf courses were beginning to be extremely speed favoring. I believe the longshot held on to finish a close second. I saw Bill after the race as he was leaving the "Press Box", he having used the horse in an exacta, while I cashed on the place portion of my win/place bet. He was a very thorough a handicapper then. He is very thorough now in his research and easy to comprehend "Betting Synthetic Surfaces". Besides being a good writer and handicapper, he is also a real nice guy!
....."PTWoodman"

I've read most handi books. This is a crime tocharge money for this worthless pos.