Review by Michael Dempsey

Handicapper, horseplayer, and writer Steve Davidowitz contributed one of the best horse racing handicapping books of all time with his Betting Thoroughbreds: A Professional's Guide for the Horseplayer.

Whether you are a horseplayer or just a fan of horse racing, you will find his latest work - The Best and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing - an interesting read. It's a collection of essays and Top 10 lists touching on just about every aspect of the game, from the worst disqualification of modern times, the best trainers, jockeys, owners, and track announcers, to what Davidowitz calls, "The Two Worst Things in the Game."

The title of the book may be somewhat misleading. It is chock full of the "Best" of the game, and very little of the "Worst."

Readers may not agree with some of his lists, but it's tough to argue with a guy that has spent a good deal of his time over four-plus decades handicapping, writing, and more importantly wagering on horse racing on a daily basis. Davidowitz has probably cashed a winning ticket at over 60 racetracks.

This book will open a lively debate among horseplayers, a rather opinionated bunch.

History buffs will enjoy his list of the greatest upsets and greatest rivalries, which include not only equine rivals, but jockeys and trainers as well. Davidowitz is a master storyteller and his vast experience in the game gives his views and opinions that much more weight.

He is not afraid to be opinionated, including critical assessments of some of the most well-known track announcers, which might not go over well in the press box.

There is a chapter or story for everyone. From recollections of Secretariat to a disqualification at Thistledown, from the best of the best in each division of racing to the biggest dud at stud. It's all covered in this book.

Davidowitz concludes his book with a chapter called "Ideas and Issues." He covers some of the great innovations in the game, the best angles in handicapping, and positive and negative trends in the industry.

The Best is unlike any horse racing book I have ever read, and is certainly going to be a topic of discussion and debate for years to come.