Preface

By Bill Corum

Nationally Known Sports Writer and Late President of Churchill Downs

Although there have been many books written about the art of picking horses, this one is different. The author recognizes an obvious fact—that handicapping is a science mastered only by those who spend long hours at it. Racing fans, with few exceptions, must have the "spade-work" done for them, and that is exactly what Bet the Horses—and Win does. It gives Mr. Joe Turf Fan a better chance to leave the track in the black.

There is nothing more exciting than watching a field of closely packed horses round the last turn and head down the stretch to the finish wire. The excitement is even more intense if the fan happens to have backed the horse that crosses the wire first.

A baseball fan can get to know the 25 players on a big-league team, but only professional turf experts can hope to get to know even a good portion of the more than 20,000 thoroughbreds. Instead of having eight teams play against each other all season, racing offers comparatively short meets in which a horse may get a chance to start only a few times. Horses also come to that meet from all parts of the country where they have been racing against many types of competition.

Bet the Horses—and Win aids the fan by doing most of this work which is necessary to rate horses in a specific race. It also removes much of the pure guesswork.

Only an expert can adjust ratings to compensate for such elements as weight, distance, time, and other variables which not only differ from race to race but from horse to horse. What this book does is to reduce those variables to systematic patterns that can be understood by any novice.

Each suggested selection method has been the result of checking and re-checking of charts and past performances. Each system enables a fan to make a selection in a matter of minutes and with only today's racing paper in front of him.

Naturally, no method is foolproof. But the system and the handicapper, who invariably uses some selection method, do point to a horse as the logical or probable winner. After that, Lady Luck takes the reins.

Racing fans are as temperamental as the horses themselves. Some crave plenty of action; others prefer to wait for "spots." A number play them "close to the belt" and are scared of a selection which is not first, second or third favorite. And others prefer to take a flyer, and the bigger the odds the better they like it.

A string of losers chills some players but others take it in their stride in the confidence that when they do hit a winner it will be a big one. Only the player himself knows what type he is and Bet the Horses—and Win permits him to adjust a selection method to his own individuality. For in this book, he will find a selection method for every type of player.

Racing, the sport of kings, should always be approached as a sport. But it needn't be an expensive one that costs each fan a king's ransom. For the turf belongs today to the little fellow—the man who puts down a modest $2 to back the horse of his choice.

The author has been a student of racing for years and has written widely on the subject. His ideas are well worth the serious consideration of both the fan who can slip away to the races only a few times during a meet as well as the fan who can take his place at the rail on most of the racing days.

Both of these types of fans will find ideas in this book that can enable them not only to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine but also the thrill of picking winners.

And if either type of fan wishes, he can just use the suggestions as a basis for drawing up his own plan of selection. For the discussion of time, weight, distance and other handicapping factors will permit him to steer away from losing ideas.

After reading Bet the Horses—and Win, I heartily recommend it to every racing fan. From cover to cover, it's a winner.

BILL CORUM

Are You Ready To Move Onto The Next Lesson? Click Here….