Customer Reviews

Mr. Trifecta

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Richard A. Cromie, Mr. Trifecta (ParlorGrand, 2000)

Handicapping books can be divided into two basic types: those that rely on solid information and those that rely on more nebulous information. 99.9% of the latter (I know if I say "all," someone will publish one that actually works) are complete and utter bunk. The majority of the "nebulous information" books rely on one source of information: "smart money."

The concept of "smart money" is that a horse's owner, trainer, and jockey have a better idea than most handicappers about how the horse will run. The obvious logical fallacy should be apparent: the so-called "smart money" may know everything there is to know about their horse in the race, but are likely to know just as much as the next guy about every other horse in the race.

Mr. Trifecta is just this kind of insider-money book, taking an old system (looking for horses who have more money bet on them in the daily double pool than the win pool and assuming that's "smart money") and applying it with a new angle (Cromie uses the pick three pool instead of the daily double pool). But it's nothing we haven't seen before, and while it's not the quickest road to the poorhouse, you're far better off with books from the former camp by authors like Tom Ainslie, Dick Mitchell, Jim Quinn, William Quirin, Mark Cramer, and the like. **, because it's short, to the point, and contains some good tall tales about track life.

I have nothing but praise for Mr. Trifecta. The first time I used Rich's strategies at my OTB, I hit a $663 trifecta. Rich not only shows you how to "do the numbers" but also shows you how to avoid losses. I followed the strategies to the tee and scored my first time out and you can too. The book is easy to read, easy to understand and gives full explanation of the strategies. Rich not only shows you what he did right, he shows you what he did wrong and how he learned from it which is what any good teacher will do. A must for anyone who is a regular racetrack goer or who just wants a great chance to pick up a few hundred next time they go to the track or OTB.

The book promises a strictly numerical approach to exotic selections but more than one winning example was the result of a "by the number" horse that "looked" poorly conditioned being replaced in the exotic bet by a non-numerical selection that "looked" fit and ready.Very difficult for most people to correctly make that assessment at the track and impossible to make it at simulcast. The system may still have some merit but I've not had the chance to test it. However, I've seen a similar approach on another type of exotic bet in a book by Al Ilich "How to Pick Winners". The difference is that Al packs his book with lots more information on other aspects of racing.Sorry but this book's promise is misleading and it's sorely overpriced. Do I feel like I've been taken? You can bet on it!

This was one of the most enjoyable horse race betting books that I have read. Unfortunately, Mr. Cromie's system is to follow the smart money assuming that there is some inside information being hidden in the Pick 3.

I have tried this system for a few weekends, and was disappointed with the results.

It's still an entertaining book, but don't expect much more.

This book is extremely easy to read. It only takes me probably 2 hours (4 subway trips of half an hour each) to finish this book as the idea presented in this book is very simple. In short, proportion of win odds to pick three odds + smart money in win odds + horse's condition on the paddock = selection. However, does this actually work?

I cannot give you a definite answer as there is no pick three odds like this in Hong Kong. However, I can imagine the author has made three major assumptions in his system as follows:-

1. Smart money tends to go to pick three pool instead of win pool.

2. There is an existence of smart money on win pool that causes the movement between prelimiary odds and morning line odds.

3. Smart money is actually smarter.

I cast doubt on the first 2 assumptions especially majority of the bets come into the pool at the last 5-7 minutes before a race (hence, early odds are not too accurate as smart money has not come in yet). This happens in Hong Kong.

As a serious horse racing "participant", I will recommend you a miss on this book.

This book is not worth the ... plus shipping I paid for it. I expected much more, I already knew most of the stuff that was in the book and really didn't find anything of value here. The system used in this book, is really a crap shoot. I tried the methods and didn't have much luck with it. I went back to my usual handicapping, which is analyzing pace, speed and pedigree and current condition of the horse and started winning again.

Most of the books I've read on racing concentrate only on trying to pick the winners. What I've found so helpful about this book is that it gives the reader a triangulation of sorts; pick three payoffs, first tick, and a common sense approach to looking at horses that will find the LONG SHOT CONTENDERS. Do I win every race, of course not, but I'm winning more than I used to and the payoffs are significantly better due to the long shot contenders this book has helped me uncover. I also like the wow factor I get from my friends. They can't believe some of my picks, then their jaws drop when they hit the board. I have to buy the drinks too often though...

I recommend "Mr. Trifecta" very highly. I have followed the method for some
time now, and I play only Mr. Cromie's "perfect" bets. If a horse looks great
but doesn't fall into the formula, I don't bet the race. This is a consistent
money-maker, if you have the discipline for it.

Cable modem + Youbet.com + Mr. Trifecta = $$$
If you're online high-speed and you bet the horses you have to get this book. Mr. Trifecta is the only book I've found that addresses online betting with a winning angle. Although the book was not written specifically to address online betting, it's very relevant to me now that I have access to hundreds of races every day. You can't handicap them all, but with this book, a calculator, and a little practice watching the horses, you can assess dozens of races and really pick your spots. I don't recommend books easily, but I had four "signers" in March and four more in April, and I give this book an assist. It's an easy, good read, too - it's obvious the author has been around tracks for many years. High recommendation.

a smartly written and beautifully edited book, mr. trifecta offers invaluable information to those fortunate souls with enough disposable income to wager on the outcomes of horseraces. the author does not claim to win 100% of the time, but his methods work well enough to allow him to pay for his vice, enjoy days at the track, and buy beer for his friends. if you think you are good enough with numbers, why don't you give mr. cromie's system a shot and see if you can't win a few trifectas yourself. okay!