Book Reviews?

[MISTERGEE]

Originally Posted by Thunder Gulch

I wrote a lot of Amazon reviews on handicapping books, and have read 25 or 30. In general, Quinn's works are solid in fundamentals and certainly worthy of reading. The pace material by Brohammer, Pizzola, and Hambleton is all solid and worth a read. My favorite author is Marc Cramer because he takes a contrarian approach to most everyone else. He wrote several that will have you thinking more about finding value after you go through the fundamental nuts and bolts process of picking winners.

Losers: Pedigree Handicaping by Stich wasn't good...Helm's pedigree book was much better. Go for the Green by Heller was written for somebody who never picked up a racing form....Ragozin's book offered almost nothing from a handicapping perspective.

Seems like most of the reviews on Amazon are by relatives of the author most likely. The ones like yours giving honest opinions few and far between hence the idea for this thread. I really enjoyed anything by Quinn and Quirin, havent seen anything by either lately. I did read Pizzola. Lots of valid points but he comes across as too much of a marketer trying to sell other services it seemed. I am currently reading "Tropical Downs" the novel by Cramer and have read his contrarian books on handicapping. He seemd to be one of the first "value" handicappers. I used to get Helms pedigree ratings every year but since he retired I switched to "Sire Stats" by Thoroughbred Sports Network which come out each year

[MISTERGEE]

has anyone read "Extreme Pace Handicapping" by Randy Giles and also are you applying his methods?

[Thunder Gulch]

Originally Posted by MISTERGEE

has anyone read "Extreme Pace Handicapping" by Randy Giles and also are you applying his methods?

Thought about it, but haven't yet. After Brohammer, Pizzola, Fotias, and Helm, I'm twisted up enough on pace approaches.

[MISTERGEE]

any actual pace ratings you like the best? I never really looked at Moss #s. I used to do my own Beyer pace #s. Now anyway most say it doesnt matter which horses have the best speed just how many like to go to the front no matter the rating.

[Thunder Gulch]

Originally Posted by MISTERGEE

any actual pace ratings you like the best? I never really looked at Moss #s. I used to do my own Beyer pace #s. Now anyway most say it doesnt matter which horses have the best speed just how many like to go to the front no matter the rating.

I use BRIS and have found them to work well for my purposes, plus I am comfortable with their whole product now. Maybe there is too much information there, but after using them, the DRF looks rudimentary.

I have also used Equiform's Xtras (Cary Fotias) from time to time. I can see how their stuff can really put you on some nice prices. Basically a combination of pace figures and sheets.

[JohnGalt1]

I use methods in these three books.

"Total Victory at the Track" by William L. Scott. His Performance Class Ratings (PCR) are a good way to compare the class of the field. If you have difficulty with All Weather tracks, PCR ratings are valuable. I don't use the second call in creating my PCR numbers and I don't like the way he makes his pace figures, especially sprinters stretching out.

"Pace Makes the Race" by Sartin, Schmidt, Hambleton, and Pizzola. I separate the running styles with their E, EP, P, and S designations--that's why I don't use the second call for the PCR rating. I use their EPR, FFR, and TPR for pace ratings.

"Handicapping Magic" Michael Pizzola. The best advice in the book--for me--is always use the last race for the pace figure, unless you shouldn't. He lists some reasons why the last race may not be used. And for his turf pace line advice.

General handicapping books with excellent advice are, "Betting Thorougbreds", "Kinky Handicapping" and "Six Secrets"

The worthless crap books I've read ( about 15) I gave away to charity. I hope my competitors at the track found them, read them, and bet their advice.

[Sightseek]

If anyone is looking to go book shopping, Border's has a 40% off coupon on their website through Monday and you can get free shipping if you send the book to your closest Borders store instead of your home:

http://www.borders.com/online/store/Home

[MISTERGEE]

Originally Posted by cmfhb411

I haven't read this. Did you ?

Yes I have. Just wanted to compare notes with others who have. Are you interested reading it?

[MISTERGEE]

Basic premise is when to bet speed or closers based on speed point method