Ainslie's Complete Guide to Thoroughbred Racing

I had read nearly a dozen books on horserace handicapping before I read Ainslie's book. This should have been the first book on horseracing that I read. Ainslie covers every aspect of handicapping and the racing game imaginable. He writes in a simple, concise, easy style -- easy on the eyes, easy to absorb. It is well-organized. Each chapter covers a specific aspect of the game. Perhaps what I enjoyed the most (and have put to good use) is Ainslie's 60 item list on how to handicap a race --what to look for: angles to be aware of in class, form; speed; jockey/trainer angles .. and on and on and on. The beauty of this book is that the reaader is exposed to so many different topics and subject areas that he will able to find his nich, his own style in handicapping. If you are like me, after you read this book, you will have a list of several more books that you will simply have to have. Thanks to Ainslie. Ainslie doesn't tout any particular handicapping style; he simply informs the reader of all the many different angles there are instantly adding to the reader's knowledge of the game and providing instant improvement to his handicapping. This is the racing book you would keep on your bedside table; this is the book that you will be referring back to time and time again -- there is that much in this book. Tell you one thing, I envy Ainslie's friends who are able to get tips and suggestions from the author. If the reader is buying this book in paperback, perhaps he should buy two copies. Surely, he will wear this book out. I have.

Some things don't change. Horses still have four legs. And Tom Ainslie still reigns as the Triple Crown Champion of handicappers. Forget the Beyer speed figureand pace gurus and go with the fundamentals. You'll also be treated to cogentand lucid prose, a rarity in racing books. This is The Bible, both Old Testament andNew.

I read the original version many years ago and can say with absolute certainty that this book is a must read for novice handicappers. The section on the form factor alone is worth the price of the book as it will steer the beginning player away from many false favorites and towards logical overlays. While not in itself a guide to instant profitability (no book is) this book provides a solid foundation of knowledge on which to build. The insights contained in this book would take many years (and dollars) to learn through trial and error handicapping and will put the player way ahead of other novice handicappers. A seminal work in the field of horse race handicapping, this book provides a lot of useful info on a wide range of topics. While there may not a lot in here for experienced players, if you're just starting out then this should be the first book you read.

The best handicapping book I've read. The beauty is the organization, how Ainsle teaches you a systematic, organized method. There's a lot of leeway for putting your own system together, but it's the mindset, the step by step way he approaches things that's so valuable. I haven't seen that anywhere. Most books teach you things of value, but not how to step by step go through the past performances, decide if the distance is right for this horse, figure out if the horse is in condition, in the right class etc. After reading this book I can actually sit down with a program, figure out which races are playable and which aren't, and hit about 40% winners. I would highly recommend it.

As a long-time horseplayer, I was sceptical that this book could teach me much that I did not already know. To my surprise, however, I learned a great deal about the track from this book. Ainslie goes into each of the book's topics in depth and writes with great clarity. I now find myself going back to the book often, using it like an encyclopedia or reference work. Most importantly, this book is helping me take home profits that I never would have earned before. A must read for anyone who wants to know what they're doing at the races.