There are many publications, treatises, books, videos and CDs that purport to help the racing fan. Some are well-intended. Some actually do help, but many unfortunately are either frauds, or utterly useless.

Regardless, if someone was to ask me, "Bob, from the entire mishmash of information available to the handicapper, if you had to name THE one item you�d consider MOST helpful what would it be?" I wouldn�t hesitate a minute to provide the answer. It would be, "Bloodstock Research�s Comprehensive Trainer Records." It�s been at least five years since I�ve last seen one, but I�m confident it (or they) are still available from BRIS. Further information about the organization can be obtained from the web.

Some might regard my recommendation as giving a plug to a publication I was involved with some 12 years ago when the idea for these yearly books was first conceived. Let me assure my reader that, despite my considerable contribution to the preparing of the initial volume, such is not the case. I was paid generously as a consultant at the time, and since then have had no contact with the publishers. I receive no royalties or favors. My dealings were with Mr. Broadbent ( the head honcho) and his son, Happy. I found both to be people of integrity, but since then there�s been no contact. Hopefully I�ve made the point that I have no ulterior motive.

Now, assuming there�s been no major change in the format of these yearly statistical records, I sincerely feel that they represent the most helpful aid that the race player could find. They contain a wealth of information; far more than an individual could amass for himself. The introductory first book (the one I�m looking at) listed every active New York trainer�s record for the past year, and cited the results achieved in more than 50 categories. Much of this information was of considerable handicapping help, but I regarded some categories as being of dubious value. These, of course, were the one�s not recommended by me for inclusion (you can see from this comment that I�m not biased).

A few examples follow of categories that I felt provided (or still provide) the most useful information: The bold face type indicates the stats I would regard as being ultra-important.

*Dirt starts	*Claimed horse successes
*Grass starts	*Shipping successes
*Mud starts	*Class drops
*Route starts	*Class heists
*Sprint starts	*Stable entries
*Two-year-old maiden starts	*Totals for all starts

There is much additional information offered but the foregoing provides some idea of the knowledge one can glean from a study of these convenient trainer records. On the other hand, here are a few "samples" of categories whose usefulness I would question.

*Results achieved at various odds

*Fourth or worse last start

*Non-favorites

*Beaten favorites

Note that such categories seem to hint at training chicanery. It�s my belief that one cannot achieve handicapping success by anticipating that something crooked is afoot.

In conclusion: It is this fan�s opinion that the trainer is the most important man in racing. Therefore, it follows that the more knowledge one can acquire about an individual conditioner�s ability, the better off he will be. This, of course, assumes the information is used wisely. It�s as important to handicap the trainer as it is handicap the jockey. Probably even more so.

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