A by-the-numbers guide to the sport of thoroughbred horse racing Jay Hovdey's fascinating and easy-to-follow look at the Sport of Kings puts the complex racing game into a refreshing new light. His facts, figures, and commentary can help you: - Compare the horses. From the past and present greats to the almost 80,000 thoroughbreds that race every year--how can you tell a good horse from a great horse? - Compare the jockeys. From Angel Cordero to Willie Shoemaker--what kinds of races are they most likely to win?- Compare the trainers. Who are the specialists? What kinds of horses do they win with?- Understand handicapping. The significance--or insignificance--of betting systems. What do big-time handicappers look for in a horse race? Learn to be an informed--and improved--handicapper. It's a safe wager that everyone from equine experts to once-a-year punters will know the races better, bet the races with more confidence, and enjoy the races like never once they read this book.