Rating: 
Summary: Strong 5 stars - a book that you must read
Review: Being a serious horse racing gamblers who want to make money from the track, you must read this book. I highly recommend this book.I believe the logic and mathematics presented in this book are the essentials of horse racing or handicapping. In my own words, Michael Pizzolla's method can be summarized as follows:- Fulcrum pace number and PBS - a measurement of how competitive a horse is regarding early speed PPF - a measurement of how competitive a horse is regarding its stretch/ final part of a race Form Cycle Window - a review of past performance Apart from the above numbers, the method introduced by Michael Pizzolla also takes into account the following factors:- - pace and position
- biases
- chance vs odds I believe the method introduced by Michael Pizzolla has undoubtedly taken into account all the important factors in horse racing. I must admit that I have not tried his method in Hong Kong as I am unable to do so. For instance, I do not have the second call beaten length figure so that I can calculate the Fulcrum pace number. However, the method of Mr Pizzolla is so logical that even without really trying it myself, I am so sure that his method do work on the track and in real life situation. Actually, I also follow the same logic as his method in horse handicapping in Hong Kong although I treat horse handicapping as an art instead of science (i.e. no numbers are calculated). I can tell you I had some fantastic experiences in the past and will continue to have more fantastic experiences in the future especially after reading this book. My only reservation on this book is regarding the handicapping technique on turf racing in which only PPF is recommended to be used (i.e. only a horse¡¦s ability in the final part of a race is taken into account). I can surely tell you if you use this technique in Hong Kong turf racing, you will go broke very soon. Perhaps turf racing is not a main stream in US and hence handicapping technique on turf racing is not that matured (just like dirt racing in Hong Kong, people do not know much about how to evaluate the performance/ability of a horse). Notwithstanding the above only reservation, I have no hesitation in giving five stars to this book! This book is a MUST read.
Rating:
Summary: Best Handicapping Book Available
Review: For those who understand the basic elements of handicapping, Handicapping Magic provides a comprehensive treatment of how to get to the heart of a race and whether or not any horse is worth a bet. The pace balanced speed and final fraction ratings produced by the method coupled with the pace and positional aspects of a race will greatly benefit those who play exactas and trifectas. The best overall handicapping method I've come across and presented in such a way that facilitates learning. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Further Stuff Needed
Review: I advocate computer handicapping and calculated risk taking. If you are an experienced horseplayer and disciplined, then this is a MUST HAVE book. Structured play and avoiding bad bets will produce profits in racing. The claimed edge is the observation that the public desires action and plays too many races with the same methodology. If players/readers can remain disciplined and only play value races according to their methodology, then the profits are there--how much, how frequent, and how spottable are your problems.
Rating:
Summary: Further Stuff Needed
Review: I advocate computer handicapping and calculated risk taking. If you are an experienced horseplayer and disciplined, then this is a MUST HAVE book. Structured play and avoiding bad bets will produce profits in racing. The claimed edge is the observation that the public desires action and plays too many races with the same methodology. If players/readers can remain disciplined and only play value races according to their methodology, then the profits are there--how much, how frequent, and how spottable are your problems.
Rating:
Summary: Early results are promising
Review: I am a new handicapper of about 1 year. I found this book easy to read and understand for someone at my level. I have applied the results at the track once with it giving me no insight on 8 of 11 races. However, on the other 3.... it just missed 2 big hits on photo finishes that went the wrong way (don't they always) and it pinned a $135 exacta with a 10:1 horse on top in the last race. Plenty of dough to cover the earlier races. This book covers all angles and gives all the method behind the madness. GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
Rating:
Summary: Most productive book on handicapping I have read in 40 years
Review: I have read well over 20 books on handicapping, plus programs and this one actually can be understood and makes sense. Needless to say is that these tools that are presented in the book really work and I have made money with it on B C day without finishing the book !! I use it with my handicapping and it is easier to make decisions for betting. There are no stories to make the book fatter, just good stuff that works. Pizzolla's concepts are brilliant because I use the same concept only his are more effective than mine. After this book you won't need to buy any others. His ideas are used to SUPPLEMENT your handicapping but maybe used as a stand alone method. I bought this book because I have been to his seminars and they are honest and informative. You will agree that this is the best book you have ever read because this information will make you a winner !!!
Rating: 
Summary: Worthy of Consideration
Review: I selected this book based on the recommendations of a knowledgeable handicapping friend who has been applying the methods of Michael Pizzolla for several years. The book teaches Michael Pizzolla's methods of pace and speed handicapping.
There are several tools which are described, some of which I have seen by other names from other authors and some of which are novel. The book is over 400 pages long, however like so many handicapping books, there is a lot of space wasted showing DRF entries and charts for the same races over and over again. The book also makes frequent references to software and other handicapping aids marketed by Michael Pizzolla.
Novel concepts presented include concept of fulcrum pace (and horse) and form cycle windows which are not treated elsewhere. These concepts can be applied to narrow a field of contenders and eliminate horses from consideration. The approaches are selection oriented and there is little treatment of value.
The book would be useful for someone looking for mechanical systems which they might use to select horses for various conditions.
Rating:
Summary: I scored a 1500 trifecta at Saratoga
Review: I used to pass turf races with large fields or else take stabs at longshots who looked promising because many turf races, both in California and back east, can yield large payoffs. Pizzola's method is simplistic and doesn't always work, but I've hit enough well paying trifectas to make his method the only one I use. I recently hit a 1500 tri at Saratoga simply by choosing the horses with the best closing fraction chosen from all their races. I boxed four horses and they came 1-2-3-4. Anyway, I've been using his method for several months now, and while it certainly doesn't work all the time, it points out a lot of winners and longshots who get in the money.
Rating:
Summary: Simple on the surface, but so far, very effective
Review: I was informed of this book in a on-line newsletter about horse racing, and the authors were describing the successes they were having with some of Michael's methods. I am a seasoned handicapper, and the last thing I thought I needed was another handicapping book, but I was intrigued. After reading the book, I found the rating techniques described simple to anyone who has handicapping experience and is serious about the game (for the novice, it is very helpful to be good with numbers and calculations). The techniques also seem to be quite effective. I usually handicap multiple tracks at an simulcast facility, looking for good bets (i.e. longer-priced horses that have a chance to win). The first 2 days I tried Michael's methods, I was pointed to a total of 4 longshot winners that I would have otherwise passed over using my current handicapping methods. Not bad.... Michael details his background in the book to some extent, and the reader will realize that he did not come up with these techniques overnight - years of experience and refinement have brought him to the methods he describes. Any serious bettor and student of the game can appreciate the effort. If anything, the techniques described in the book will help you find overlooked horses, as the methods seem to be very good at quickly ferreting out 'hidden ability' - ability not apparent from looking at the past performances in the public's generalized way. If the methods and rankings point to the logical favorites, pass the race. Otherwise, be prepared to play! This book is an excellent supplement to anyone's current method of handicapping, and gave me more tools to add to my 'handicapping toolbox.' Like any handicapping method, it is desirable to show proven success over the long haul, but Michael states his case well and I am off to a flying start with the techniques - the book has already paid for itself several times over. Any book that can help someone make profits and provide enjoyment is worth its cost and deserves 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: worthwhile buy
Review: If you are a serious horseplayer and student of pace handicapping, this book is a must read. Pizzolla's Form Cycle Window to the PP charts is particularly insightful and potentially lucrative. You will find more juicy-priced horses to use underneath in exotic bets than you could dream of. More importantly, you will leave the windows feeling more confident about your plays than prior to reading this book. Incorporating Pizzolla's methods in your current handicapping methods is a must. By far the best book I've read on handicapping.
| 
