Boilermaker Rick wrote:
I only go to the track every so often but I would like to be able to read the booklet they hand you when you walk in and be able to use some basic strategy.
Web sites, books, blogs, befriend a mobster? Help me help myself and hopefully make smarter bets.
There's a lot of crap out there. However, there are some really good writers on the sport. Some of the books are a bit outdated, but the ideas are extremely helpful and will get you thinking in the way you should if you want to bet horses. I'll give a few:
Betting Thoroughbreds for the 21st Century, Steve Davidowitz (amazon link
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932910700/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0452270421&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1VW5M6F4BR3R39A1VYKG): Perhaps the authoritative text in the field. Davidowitz provides an introduction to all the main angles: trainers, jockeys, speed ratings, pace ratings, track biases, trip handicapping, bloodlines, etc. This is an updated version of the classic; I have the 2nd ediction, which was written in the mid 90s, and still consult it from time to time. Written with the beginner in mind, but not a text that wastes time explaining the obvious.
Tom Ainslie's Complete Guide to Betting Thoroughbreds: (amazon link
http://www.amazon.com/Ainslies-Complete-Guide-Thoroughbred-Racing/dp/0671656554): Considered the alpha text for modern handicapping. A lot of it is out of date, but Ainslie does a nice job of summarizing the mathematical aspects of what to look for. He's also a good writer.
The Winning Horseplayer, Beyer on Speed, and Picking Winners: Andrew Beyer (
http://www.amazon.com/Winning-Horseplayer-Advanced-Thoroughbred-Handicapping/dp/0618871780/ref=pd_sim_b_2): Three classic texts by perhaps the most popular public handicapper of the past quarter century. Beyer is an amazing writer- besides from knowing his handicapping, his knack for telling stories is top-notch- and he runs through the methodology for compiling his Beyer speed figures, which are found in the Daily Racing Form and perhaps are the single most accurrate popular tool for evaluating the ability of a horse. Any of these texts is highly recommended; Beyer on Speed is the most modern, but is about 15 years old now. He also wrote a book called "My $50,000 year at the races" back in the 70s, which isn't so much a handicapping book, but is a lot of fun.
Exotic Betting, Steve Crist (
http://www.amazon.com/Exotic-Betting-Multihorse-Multirace-Racings/dp/1932910921/ref=pd_sim_b_5) Looks at strategy for playing bets outside of the standard win, place, and show. A handicapping book, to be sure, but even more of a money management book. You can also read Crist almost everyday on the DRF.com website, where he details his pick-4 and pick-6 plays in New York and does a nice job of breaking down his thought process.