Actually I was far away at an OTB. I won the Pick 6 at Hollywood for $13K and I didn't even know about it until the next day.
In April this year I went for my first time to play the horses. I'm 23. On my very last race I won a $53 exacta. I left $7 ahead and happy. I went again two weeks later and won over $800, primarily from some lucky trifectas. I felt I was going to make a lot of money playing the horses. By the end of May I was down almost $2K and unhappy. Nothing went right and I kept losing.
In June I ordered this book, Exotic Betting and Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies. I will write a review on the other books.
This book saved my skin; literally! I had played some small pick 6 wagers on some random tracks, mostly for $2 or $8 and was never close. After I read this book everything changed. I'm not a handicapper, and don't even try, but that doesn't seem to matter.
He tells you what tracks to play and why. He tells you the recommended field size. What horses to embrace and avoid. I think most important though is that he teaches you a playable plan. A strategy that is many more times likely to win than the average weekend players pick 6. I understand it.
Two year olds and maidens used to scare me. He acknowledges why that is and then shows you how to beat them and use them to your advantage.
All said and done, it's the best book on horse racing. He made me change and made me a winner.
The other reviews mentioned his humor and stories. I thought it would be BS. Wrong! There are funnies that pop up seemingly in every chapter. I wouldn't call all of his "stories" - stories. Some are race recreations done really well. Others are created and he sucks you into the action.
Not much negative. He wants readers to be able to handicap. I've got the basic idea, I just don't enjoy it. He spends equal time with beginners, average players and track regulars. He wants everyone to win, but I think he could have focused more on the intermediate level player.
Great book. It made me a big wad of money and a better horseplayer. I would love to win many more pick 6 jackpots. I would love to win enough pick 6's that I can retire in a few years. I just might do it.