Saturday, September 21, 2013
Contact: Jon Forbes
jforbes@nyrainc.com
Beyer, Crist offer handicapping insights at Belmont seminar
ELMONT, N.Y. - Renowned horseplayers and writers Andrew Beyer and Steven Crist addressed racing fans in a free handicapping seminar on Saturday at Belmont Park.
Approximately 250 guests attended the seminar, which was held in the North Shore Terrace on the fourth floor of the Clubhouse and was hosted by NYRA TV analyst Andy Serling.
Beyer, the longtime racing columnist for the Washington Post, discussed the creation of Beyer Speed Figures and their effect on the game, writing the handicapping tome "Picking Winners," and the importance of maintaining a consistent wagering style.
Crist, the chairman and publisher emeritus of Daily Racing Form, talked about following Devil's Bag in 1983-84 and the concept of assembling multiple tickets for multi-race wagers such as the Pick 6.
In addition, Crist emphasized the role of luck in horse racing and how horseplayers should not get upset when things do not go their way. In the long run, a horseplayer with a sound strategy will succeed, Crist argued.
"You can wager only when the odds are in your favor, but to make a comparison to poker, a pair of aces will still lose to a 2-7 17 percent of the time," Crist said.
Following the formal session, Beyer and Crist mingled with the guests. The first 200 people who registered online for the event received a free copy of "Bet With the Best 2: Longshots," "Betting On Myself," "Beyer on Speed," or "Picking Winners."
"Today's event gave our fans an opportunity to hear from and meet two of the true giants of handicapping," said Eric Wing, director of communications for The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA). "The discussion was lively, and attendees undoubtedly left with ideas that will help sharpen their handicapping acumen."
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