No comments about Insider's Guide to Horseracing.

5 comments about Smarty Jones: Forever A Champion.

1. I read this book and Smarty Jones: America's Horse in the bookstore.
   
   Smarty Jones: America's Horse is just many color photos with accompaning newpaper articles. If you followed Smarty Jones career through the news on the internet or by newspaper, you will not learn anything new or personal about his life.
   
   Smarty Jones: Forever a Champion, by Billy Valentine is a much better, although with less photos. It details the intimate decisions and reactions in Smarty Jones's life and anyone who is associated with him. You really get a feel for Smarty's personality, people's inital reaction when they first saw him ("a runt") and when they first saw him run, how Servis changed his training tactics, etc. Definitely the book to get if you're a fan.



2. The story of Smarty Jones is a remarkable one. Sadly, this is not the book that tells it. It barely scratches the surface and technically it needed an editor. The text is full of grammatical and punctuation errors. Words are randomly capitalized. Mr. Valentine also has an ANNOYING HABIT of OVERUSING ALL CAPS, as if the reader can't get his point without his help. I was there when Smarty won the Preakness and was at the rail for the Belmont. I was hoping to relive some of those feelings through the book.
   Smarty Jones was one of those rare horses that transended the sport. He deserves better than this.



3. Living in horse country I can tell you that Smarty Jones was and still is near and dear to the hearts of racing fans all over Oregon. The book is well written and captures many of the great moments in Smarty Jones run for the triple crown. There are many stories that some of us may be familiar with but there are also many behind the scenes stories that are truly enlightning. I bought several for gifts and have recieved many a thanks from the readers for brightening there day. Were all looking forward to next year when Smartys Foals begin racing too. A great sports hero read!!



4. I rarely leave reviews but this book was so bad I have to warn people not to buy it. I see 2 people selling it used, one for $42 and another for $50. I wouldn't pay $2 for it. Nevermind all the grammatical and spelling errors (doesn't know the difference between to and too and their and there), it also wreaks of sentimentalism and exaggerations for extra effect. I had to read the "About the author" section because it was so mushy I thought a teenage girl had written it. You are better off digging up old newspaper and magazine articles on the Internet or in the library to learn about Smarty Jones.



5. I was one of the original investores in this book. After paying Billy Valentine for two shares of this book, I never heard from him again. He took my money and has never even written or called me.

1 comments about Racing Days.

1. We were given a copy of the first printing of this book many years ago. As a visual and written essay about the inhabitants of the track, it is unmatched. Moments of joy are celebrated. Moments of defeat and pain are investigated. It captures the magic of the racetrack experience.

2 comments about Wagering to Win: Best Bets for Fun at the Track.

1. This is THE best guide that I have ever come across in regards to wagering on horses and greyhounds. It is a must have book for any novice gambler, explaining every type of wager, defining track terms, and providing a guide of tracks of North America.

   While the book is a must have for beginners, even most veteran gamblers would find this book quite beneficial. Mr. Andersen begins his book with the most basic of wagering information and progresses into more exotic wagers which would provide much needeed insight to all but the most seasoned gamblers.

   There is an entire section devoted to wagering tables. I have found this to be quite indispensible while at the track trying to calculate how much a particular exotic bet will cost. I never go out to the track without this "tool".

   The only complaint that I had with this book initially, was that I thought it was a greyhound handicapping book. It covers horses as well as greyhounds and definately is NOT a handicapping book. With that stated, I was very pleasantly surprised at all the wonderful information contained in this book and am happy to have made this particular "mistake". I would definately recommend this book to wagerers at any level.




2. A bad day at the track is missing Wagering to Win:Best Bets for Fun at the Track. There has been times when a Senior Moment is the frontrunner and the best book for determining the selection of wager and required amount is tough to compute. For a newcomer or a seasoned veteran of the horses this book allows a fast determination of the action necessary for success.
   
   To be able to determine the selected cost, writing it on a slip, the mutuel machine concuring with your wager waiting for the announcer to say "and they are off" will make you day.
   
   Buy the book....your horses or greyhounds will be more enjoyable.

2 comments about The Caesars Palace Book of Sports Betting.

1. If you never have been to Vegas and want to know a bit about sports betting, this is not a bad book. However, there are some superior books out there.



2. Great information. Very helpful.
   
   Best Gambling Portal http://www.increasedodds.com

No comments about Against the Odds.

1 comments about The Seabiscuit Story: From the Pages of the Nation's Most Prominent Racing Magazine.

1. This is a unique chronicle of Seabiscuit that was released in June 2003; the articles were originally published between 1935-1940 in The Blood-Horse magazine.
   
   Highlights include The Biscuit's first victory in a stakes race at age two and his coast-to-coast travels, which solidified his legendary status by taking on the best racers of the era at all the top tracks. Award-winning author John McEvoy provides commentary which provides a historical perspective to this amazing story.
   
   Rarely can a reader find such media coverage without doing research in a library or museum. This is a must for a fan of Seabiscuit or someone who has a real appreciation of American history.

No comments about Obsessed.

1 comments about The Basics of Winning Horseracing, Fifth Edition.

1. The book provides a great amount of beginner information, for someone who has no knowledge of horseracing. Not for the advanced horseplay.

2 comments about Legends 3: Outstanding Quarter Horse Stallions and Mares.

1. This is and excellent book in a series of four (so far) about sires and dams of significance in the Quarter Horse Breed. I learned about the horses from birth to death, successes and failures and the people in their lives. A pedigree is provided, and links are made from ancestors and offspring. I found it an excellent reference tool and enjoyed reading it. Another well written book from Western Horseman.



2. Wonderfull History of the breeding of Foundation Mares & Stallions of the AMerican Quarter Horse. I would not be without all 4 volumes in this series. I refer to them when considering a new horse purchase to research bloodlines for Temperment, type,usability and many other factors.