The Bottom Line
To those just getting started in the betting game, First Time Starters is an excellent introduction to basic concepts such as breeding and physicality, tecniques which come naturally to the seasoned veteran. By tackling the most difficult of races first, maiden races full of first time starters, he can get the newcomer off to a good start at the windows. The simple yet powerful angles can be put to use right away in any setting.
Pros
- Excellent introduction to handicapping first time starters
- Useful lessons on physicality, with photographic examples
- Technique can easily be applied by newcomers to the sport
Cons
- The book could use a few more examples, only one sample race was shown
Description
- First time winners can be found using any number of angles: breeding, workout patterns, trainer...
- Physicality handicapping is very effective in first-timer events.
- He includes photographs to demonstrate what physical features to look for: tail position, coat, etc.
- Further research was used to show which first time winners were likely to win again next time out
- A single sample race was used, an MSW at Belmont with an 11-horse field and 3 first time starters
- By process of elimination he showed how one of the first timers was the standout in the field.
- He includes a useful appendix listing how the Tomlinson numbers can be used to predict a win.
- Also in the appendix is a short list of stallions most successful at siring first-out winners.
Guide Review - Review - First Time Starters: An Investigational Report
Maiden races full of first time starters, be they special weights or claimers, strike fear in the hearts of many horseplayers. In his latest book First Time Starters, New York educator and handicapper Daniel DiPleco gets to work right away to alleviate those fears, revealing a number of angles which point the horseplayer at the contenders. Compiling statistics from race charts at tracks across America at all purse and class levels, he demonstrates the effectiveness of each angle. Simply following his angles can reveal a horse overlooked by the betting public, usually a first time starter in a maiden race facing horses that have raced before but have all lost badly.
