Horseplayer's resource -- Handicapping in Cyberspace

George Kaywood of Kansas, one of the most respected names in the thoroughbred information business, has produced a super update in his Handicapping in Cyberspace: The Horseplayer's Complete Guide to the Internet (114 pages, 8x11 plastic spiralbound, $21.95, including CD ROM, which requires a PDF reader.) This 2008 edition, comprised of 17 sections, is a huge contribution to thoroughbred information. One part -- probably the most extensive racetrack websites lists to date -- is worth the price of the book. Besides the list, it includes links to information for even the smallest fair race meets, including steeplechase tracks, in alphabetical order from Aiken (SC) to Zia Downs.

Looking for entries and results or information about horses running internationally? It's here. (Just before the Breeders' Cup, you may seek data on horses competing in England, Argentina, Australia or Ireland for example.)

Many of today's horseplayers take advantage of live racing -- audio and video -- broadcasting. Kaywood tells you who operates them and which ones require membership. Some of the feeds require various payment methods for opening an account -- but which? The book lists this. Cautioning that individual tracks often change their policies about showing races, Kaywood explains that some sites offer historic racing videos, which might help a handicapper get a good visual of the tracks he's interested in. Here too, there is input about sites from Australia and the United Kingdom.

Need a listing of online information providers like BRIS (Bloodstock Research Information Service) or Equibase or how to find information on the (Ragozin) Sheets? It's listed. What about publications like the Daily Racing Form or the Bloodstock Journal? Kaywood lists them, what they provide along with racing news sources nationally and internationally.

One chapter is devoted to off-track betting sites, another to online and offshore wagering, while including reprinted articles which reflect on the legality of it all. These are followed by a chapter on blogs -- a combination of personal diary, soapbox and breaking news outlets with links and then a list of forums and discussion groups (for holding discussions and posting user-generated content.)

Lauren Stich, an expert on the subject of thoroughbred pedigrees, contributes an article about pedigrees and breeding, which then lists many sites that provide free pedigree and breeding information that might also aid a handicapper.

There's a small section on trainers, another solely on the Breeders' Cup, and for those who enjoy harness racing, there's an eight-page section on places that offer information and groups, followed by websites in the U.S. and Canada.

One small chapter focuses on quarter horse racing, including web sites in the U.S. in Canada, and Kaywood wraps it all up with a cyberspace handicapping session and a look at the future of handicapping and its relation to the Internet.

In short, George Kaywood has taken the cumbersome task of Internet searches apart and put it into perspective. His book lets you skips over all the advertising and extraneous cyber information that shows up when you go to your favorite search engine, and gives you a leg up on compiling your own list of favorite and helpful places. (114 pages, 8x11 plastic spiralbound, $21.95, including CD ROM, which requires a PDF reader.) This 2008 edition, comprised of 17 sections, is a huge contribution to thoroughbred information. One part -- probably the most extensive racetrack websites lists to date -- is worth the price of the book. Besides the list, it includes links to information for even the smallest fair race meets, including steeplechase tracks, in alphabetical order from Aiken (SC) to Zia Downs.

Looking for entries and results or information about horses running internationally? It's here. (Just before the Breeders' Cup, you may seek data on horses competing in England, Argentina, Australia or Ireland for example.)

Many of today's horseplayers take advantage of live racing -- audio and video -- broadcasting. Kaywood tells you who operates them and which ones require membership. Some of the feeds require various payment methods for opening an account -- but which? The book lists this. Cautioning that individual tracks often change their policies about showing races, Kaywood explains that some sites offer historic racing videos, which might help a handicapper get a good visual of the tracks he's interested in. Here too, there is input about sites from Australia and the United Kingdom.

Need a listing of online information providers like BRIS (Bloodstock Research Information Service) or Equibase or how to find information on the (Ragozin) Sheets? It's listed. What about publications like the Daily Racing Form or the Bloodstock Journal? Kaywood lists them, what they provide along with racing news sources nationally and internationally.

One chapter is devoted to off-track betting sites, another to online and offshore wagering, while including reprinted articles which reflect on the legality of it all. These are followed by a chapter on blogs -- a combination of personal diary, soapbox and breaking news outlets with links and then a list of forums and discussion groups (for holding discussions and posting user-generated content.)

Lauren Stich, an expert on the subject of thoroughbred pedigrees, contributes an article about pedigrees and breeding, which then lists many sites that provide free pedigree and breeding information that might also aid a handicapper.

There's a small section on trainers, another solely on the Breeders' Cup, and for those who enjoy harness racing, there's an eight-page section on places that offer information and groups, followed by websites in the U.S. and Canada.

One small chapter focuses on quarter horse racing, including web sites in the U.S. in Canada, and Kaywood wraps it all up with a cyberspace handicapping session and a look at the future of handicapping and its relation to the Internet.

In short, George Kaywood has taken the cumbersome task of Internet searches apart and put it into perspective. His book lets you skips over all the advertising and extraneous cyber information that shows up when you go to your favorite search engine, and gives you a leg up on compiling your own list of favorite and helpful places.