Let’s face it, horse racing can be complicated! Inside Track: Insider’s Guide to Horse Racing makes it easy and demystifies the complexities. Want to know how to bet and decide which horse to pick? It’s in the book. Where do the jockeys come from and how do they prepare for a race? What are the best tracks to visit? Why all the fuss over the Kentucky Derby? What to wear to the track? It’s all in there! And each chapter stands alone so if you want to know about that subject, read that chapter. If not, move on. Easy. There’s even a glossary of horse racing terms and a section with recommendations of horse racing books, horse racing periodicals, movies, etc. If you already know all this then buy the book for your friends who are interested in horse racing but don’t know anything about it. That way, you can grab a beer (or, better yet, a mint julep), a racing program, and a seat and enjoy a day at the races while they learn everything they need to know from the book. Win-win! Plus, 100% of proceeds go to Thoroughbred aftercare, a win-win-win!

Inside Track: An Insider's Guide to Horse Racing provides essential information on what to wear, how to bet, how to watch a race, who the participants are, and where to see the best racing.

By a Nose: Gambling Tales from a Horseracing Insider Author Jim Gentile likes to gamble. It’s in his genes, thanks to his father. As a teenager, an $88 Quinella at Arlington Park hooked him. Since then, he has had many a lucky day. He parlayed his passion for “playing the horses” into a thirty-year career working at seven Chicago-area tracks. This book provides a peek behind the gate of the horseracing industry. It’s a humorous account of Jim’s experiences in the trenches as a teller, ticket room clerk, cashier, manager, and senior auditor, with plenty of opportunity to hone his skills as a bettor: “ On Wednesdays — payday — there were three lines at the in-town tracks: one line to get your check, another line to cash your check, and the third line was to pay back your gambling losses. If you only went to line one, you were way ahead of the game.” An odd cast of characters is woven throughout these memorable stories. You’ll meet, among others:Gravelly-voiced Aunt Flo who blew her husband’s entire savings at the racetrack while he was on a WWII Navy ship. “Uncle Dick thought he was returning home to a comfortable nest egg, only to find out that Aunt Flo did not understand the nest egg concept — she had gambled away every cent. To his credit, as the story was told to me, Uncle Dick went on a four-day bender and Aunt Flo lived to tell the tale.” Two overly eager co-workers whose wily wagers cost them their jobs: “By the last race Howie was in the box for over $76,000! With only one race left, his only hope was to hit the Trifecta. Hey, what’s another $24,000 when you are already stuck 76 large.” “Louie’s eyes were glued to the television, as the lead horse was ahead by 3 lengths on the backstretch. He quickly punched in $200 to win, the maximum bet the machine would allow, punched the number of the horse on the lead, and started hitting the repeat button. This feature allowed clerks to issue multiple tickets rapidly and Louie was working that machine like a construction worker holding a jackhammer.” Tommy and his plan to rule roulette: “When the ball bounced around it landed on red, but only momentarily before it leaped into a black slot like a poisonous frog.” Tommy had fallen prey to a common condition called “Gambler’s Fallacy”. Simply stated, this is the “incorrect belief that the likelihood of a random event can be affected or predicted from other independent events.” The “law of averages” is one phrase that gamblers should strike from their vocabulary.” Avid gamblers as well as non-gamblers will be highly entertained by a myriad of sagas, which also include sports betting, dog racing, and poker. By the end of the book, like the author, readers will end up asking themselves, “Is today going to be my lucky day?” You betcha! Book Reviews “The book was an easy, fast, and funny read. I totally enjoyed ever story and wished that Jim had worked another five years so we could read a few more chapters”. Three favorite chapters: Dare and Defy, Tommy the Scrubber, Sy, Lord of the Rings Sam M. "Gentile ́s first book out of the starting gate is no gamble...readers will be bridled instantly by the wit and honesty of his many self-deprecating gambling tales. While Gentile always seems to miss his bets "by a nose", his collection of racetrack characters and close calls is one for the "win column". Three favorite chapters: Got any Hot Tips? Sy, Lord of the Rings, The Chicago White Sox and a Pound of Pot? Marta A. Miller, maiden gambler "Finally, a nonprofessionals guide to horse racing. Easy to understand and revealing without being overwhelming, the personal experiences of this racetrack insider make it fun to read too. A must read for anyone who bets on horse racing". Three favorite chapters: Bob and Jim’s Wild Ride, Light’s Out, Starnet and Internet Gambling. Steve J. "By A Nose by Jim Gentile i

Includes bibliographical references (p. 159-160) and index.

Betting on Horse Racing For Dummies is packed with information that teaches you the ins and outs of the racetrack. You’ll learn how to improve your odds, avoid common betting mistakes, and just plain have fun at the races. This is a spectator’s easy-to-understand guide, so you’ll have no trouble identifying the racing breeds with their strengths and weaknesses, sizing up the jockey, understanding the importance and role of a trainer, placing bets, managing money, and beyond. Can’t make it to the track? No worries! You’ll get the scoop on online betting with off track betting sites and apps. This update covers the latest changes in the betting world and in the racing world, so you’ll know just what you’re wagering. Learn about the different types of horse racing Discover and identify the best racing breeds Know your jockeys and trainers Make smart wagers and manage your funds For beginning betters, Betting on Horse Racing For Dummies is your ticket to well informed wagers and a winning edge. Already know the ropes? You’ll love the market trends and insider tips you’ll find inside.

Now in its fifth edition, The Complete Encyclopedia of Horse Racing is an authoritative and comprehensive illustrated work of reference. The book tells the story of the "sport of kings" from its earliest inceptions to the present day. It provides essential information on all the top jockeys and the leading owners and trainers and the famous horses. Every personality (human and equine), event and issue of importance in the history of both flat racing and steeplechasing will be referred to somewhere in the book. In addition, the off-track world of racing will be explored through the chapters dealing with gambling, scandals and disasters, social and cultural aspects, media coverage and the business of the racing. Written by two acknowledged authorities on the racing scene, this book is the definitive work on "the horses", with every page a visually exciting and information-packed celebration of the sport. This book will be as invaluable to the fan who follows racing on television as it will be for the serious student, administrator and the media.