Customer Reviews

Betting Thoroughbreds: A Professional's Guide for the Horseplayer: Second Revised Edition

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is one of the best handicapping books I have ever read and I have read just about every one...it's not full of get rich quick strategies...just solid handicapping education by someone who has the experience and it shows in the book. I'd recommend this one coupled with Tom Ainslie's book.

From Silky Sullivan to the making of speed figures, and on through "looking through the trainer's window," Steve-O's book has things to teach even when he isn't trying. But most of all, this book is sound on the fundamentals. Handicapping thoroughbreds, as a craft, contains elements of math, intuition, reason and insight all bound up in a chance proposition. Cut down the chance-factors, concentrate on what you understand, and you CAN do well. Davidowitz's book is the first step & easy to read on top of it all.

This is an excellent book, fun and easy to read. However, it's not for the novice trying to learn to handicap. Rather, it's for the handicapper who already has a decent grasp of the fundamentals, and is looking for a way to hone up his or her ROI. Filled with concrete examples of trainer moves, track peculiarities, etc., Davidowitz explores the "art" side of handicapping. He leaves you, not with a "system" of handicapping, but a number of different concepts you need to include in your own handicapping process.

This is clearly one of the best books ever written on Thoroughbred Handicapping. It should become evident soon after the opening chapter how complex and laborious the life of a professional horse bettor must be to hold an edge over the betting public. Steve is a genuine winning handicapper himself, and reveals what it takes to win. The percentage of winning bettors at any given track on any given day has been estimated to be 5%. (2% remain the same consistent winners day after day). It takes an immense amount of never ending study to remain financially solvent as a bettor. Steve, as a responsible author points this out. This reviewer will also confirm this to be true. There is no book on the market that will make a winner out of a nonwinner without effort as in any other great endeavor. I give this book a 5 Star Rating for leaving no stone unturned in the handicapping picture.

Any book or author that introduces a concept that becomes part of everyone's handicapping arsenal deserves recognition for their genius. Davidowitz was the first to really publish insights into track bias and it's power. Other than that concept, this book is full of good ideas across the board. The revised edition's treatment of pace is good stuff even for those who approach pace more technically like Brohammer. Davidowitz's work on charts and how to use them to find key races and trip overlays is more gold for serious players.
Years after I first read this, I have realized how great this book is for horseplayers. Davidowitz has covered a difficult array of factors with provoking insight into each and has done a masterful job of explaining how to incoporate into the handicapping puzzle.

"Betting Thoroughbreds" is a good book. After you read it, you will be equipped with many "weapons" on horse racing. This books tells you that horse racing is more an art than purely mathematics. I highly recommend you to read this book.

I've read pretty much everything that's been printed on playing the horses...this book ranks at the top of them all. In my opinion, the most valuable part of this book is the chapter dealing with ticket construction. Davidowitz looks at multiple scenarios and outlines sample tickets to go with each. For example, is there a race where you like one or two horses fairly strongly and want to play a trifecta? Davidowitz develops several different strategies for betting in that situation, as well as suggests that appropriate amount of bankroll to be used.

If you combine the ideas and methods in this book with those in Crists "Exoctic Betting", you would have a very fine grasp on wagering strategies.

One word of caution, this book is definitely for more advanced players. Those who are $2 bettors or play with a limited bankroll can learn a lot from this text, but many of the ideas and methods will be difficult to incorporate. However, I would still recommned this book to anyone who wants to expand his horseracing knowledge.

I bought this book as a novice thoroughbred better, and no one in my casual group of horserace friends has been able to glean much useful information from it. I should have been warned--the title clearly states that it is for professionals. While this book didn't help me personally, it is probably an excellent resource for someone already in the field looking for the next step in their edge over the house.

I'm posting this review as a caution to other people who might be looking for a good introduction to horse racing. This isn't it. Leave this one for the professionals.

A well written book that has a lot of value to the handicapper. One of the best ever written imo.

Useful information and definitely not for beginners. Great for handicappers trying to take the next step. It is probably ready for another revision as new aspects of horse racing have come into play over the last 5 years.