Customer Reviews

The Odds Must Be Crazy: Beating the Races with the Man Who Revolutionized Handicapping

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

 

 

While Len Ragozin may, in part, be promoting his Sheet service, he does begin to impart very important information about the sport, handicapping, and some of the aspects of the game that necessitated the development of his number system. He actually does disclose how to develop the numbers, the problem is, partly, in getting the raw data that goes into them. Ultimately, it is the analysis of the numbers and the patterns combined with sound money management that offers the promise of success at the windows. Read the book. Adapt the handicapping principles to the information available from the Daily Racing Form, if you wish. One thing I think you will find is that Len Ragozin wants to share his knowledge and wisdom. The data, however, is for sale.

You don't need to purchase The Sheets to benefit from Len Ragozin's insight. You may, as some have, find a way to incorporate his theories into your personal methodology. Understanding thoroughbred form cycles is critical to successful wagering and this book shows the way. But you will have to work a little to master the concepts he presents. Until Ragozin wrote this book I was mystified by the unpredictable declines and sudden rises in the performances of young horses. Now some of my best bets come in three year old races. And I don't subscribe to the expensive figures.
What I have learned is worth many times the purchase price.

You can see the author's brilliant ideas such as parimutual game charateristics, physics(wind), mathematical concept(large sampling), horse's develoing and declining physical conditions.

Putting aside some of the self ego stroking by Mr. Ragozin, this book puts many of the sheet theorys into context by the master of speed numbers. Any serious handicapper will find the contents of this book not just helpful but perhaps addictive. The chapter "Reading Between The Lines" is particularly illuminating. I thought he could have been a lot clearer on how he desgnated horses condition from A thru D. A more detailed discussion of this practice would have been welcomed by me. On balance though, for someone who has devoted a major portion of his adult life to discovering these many verified concepts, and is willing to share it with those of us still struggling to get an edge in this highly exciting game, I for one tip my hat to an enormously thoughtful gentleman Buy the book, you won"t regret it, besides you'll at least have one winner for the year.

This is a great collection of handicapping information from an angle unlike most other handicapping books. Len also does a nice job of mixing his life experiences and track stories in along side making it a fun read. It may look outdated but the information is absolutely relevant at the track today!

Definitely worth reading, interesting views (not the normal speed, pace, bias, trip stuff). Wish book had more on handicapping however.

This is one of a few "must have" books for the serious handicapper. It explains the development of the racehorse in terms of speed. Rags has developed several angles that are now common racetrack jargon, such as the "bounce" and "looping back around" to a better back number. He explains several patterns of two year olds, then the three year olds, and finally older horses. Whether you buy the "sheets" or are a small better that uses the 50 cent track program, you will learn alot. Its a facinating read and I highly recommend it.

He kept all of his secrets. If you know the basics of racing you will learn nothing. Definate thumbs down!!

This book seems to be more of a 200 page ad for Sheets than anything else. There are some entertaining elements and a little handicapping, but overall he seems to be stroking his ego and taking shots at Beyer's methods. The book is more of a commentary on Ragozin's life than insight into his methods.