Introduction 1 Part 1: And They're Off! Horse Racing and the Betting Scene 5 Chapter 1: Playing the Ponies for Pleasure and Profit 7 Chapter 2: All Horse Races Are Not Created Equal 15 Chapter 3: Getting a Handle on Parimutuel Wagering 29 Chapter 4: The Skinny on Betting 39 Chapter 5: Visiting the Racetrack 55 Part 2: How the Players and Factors Impact the Race 71 Chapter 6: Studying Horses in the Paddock and During the Post-Parade 73 Chapter 7: Riders up: The Importance of a Jockey 81 Chapter 8: Trainers and Owners: Calling the Shots 93 Chapter 9: Knowing the Track Surface and Conditions 103 Chapter 10: Zeroing In on Equipment Changes 119 Part 3: Gaining a Competitive Edge 131 Chapter 11: The Daily Racing Form: America's Turf Authority 133 Chapter 12: Trying Your Hand at Handicapping 147 Chapter 13: Planning Your Wagers 169 Chapter 14: Making the Most of Your Bankroll 175 Part 4: Risky Business: Tackling More Advanced Bets 185 Chapter 15: Betting Exotic Wagers 187 Chapter 16: Getting Into Sophisticated Handicapping 209 Chapter 17: Handicapping Tournaments 227 Chapter 18: The Race for the Triple Crown 237 Part 5: Playing Different Ponies and Different Venues 249 Chapter 19: Harness Racing: It Will Drive You Wild 251 Chapter 20: American Quarter Horse Racing: Don't Blink, or You'll Miss It 267 Chapter 21: Visiting Your Local OTB: Off-Track Betting 273 Chapter 22: Betting From Home 281 Chapter 23: Viva Las Vegas 295 Part 6: The Part of Tens 307 Chapter 24: Ten Best Racetracks to Visit 309 Chapter 25: Ten Best Track Announcers of All Time 317 Chapter 26: Ten Best Horse-Racing Movies 323 Appendix: A Glossary of Horse Racing Lingo 329 Index 339.