The Blood-Horse Authoritative Guide to Betting Thoroug
*Starred Review* For horseplayers who came of age in the late 1960s, there was a splendid introduction to the sport calledAinslie's Complete Guide to Thoroughbred Racing, by Tom Ainslie. Alas, that estimable book has been hopelessly outdated for decades, made obsolete by an explosion of handicapping information; and the lack of a successor has constituted a significant obstacle for newcomers wanting to get a leg up on the fascinating but devilishly complex art of handicapping horse races. The staff and correspondents ofThe Blood-Horse, the preeminent weekly magazine devoted to Thoroughbred racing and breeding, have now stepped in to fill the void with this comprehensive primer. Assuming no knowledge whatsoever, they take the would-be handicapper through the basics of how to read the program and theDaily Racing Form, how to understand the tote board and the array of wagers offered, and how to weigh the importance of myriad handicapping factors. With that foundation established, they introduce the reader to the fundamentals of speed, trip, and pedigree handicapping. This is not the last word on handicapping, but it provides a foundation for understanding a plethora of more sophisticated works, several of which are listed in its bibliography, which might otherwise be simply bewildering. It is an essential book for libraries in racing jurisdictions.Dennis DodgeCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved