The Bottom Line
For the uninitiated, the ARM appears to be an unwieldy publication. But once he or she starts to pore through the vast amounts of data within, the $40 list price appears to be a steal. Long time fans and new fans alike can learn a lot about this great sport, with its detailed coverage of 2004 and all the historical statistics listed. Editor Paula Welch-Prather outdid herself this year, with its record 2,190 pages of information. The racing fan will refer to this book time and time again.
Pros
- Racing's best source for historical and statistical data, the ultimate desktop reference
- In-depth coverage of 2004 from the Triple Crown through Breeders' Cup and Eclipse Awards
- At just $40 list price, racing fans can't afford not to have this on their bookshelves
Cons
- The ARM is without equal and without fault, as it has been through its 110 year history
Description
- Annual leading horse by races won (dating back to 1975)
- A list of all-time leading horses in wins, the breeders and sires of millionnaires
- Progeny of leading broodmare sires
- 2004 Best Horses recap by Daily Racing Form's National Handicapper Mike Watchmaker
- Leading North American jockeys and trainers by lifetime wins and earnings
- Lifetime leaders among trainers and jockeys
- Best times at all distances at every track in 2004, fastest times at all common distances 1991-2004
- Triple dead heats for wins, and leading horses by money won in Europe, Middle East, and Far East
- The year's necrology both human and equine
- New for 2005: expanded steeplechasing and Canadian graded stakes coverage, new handicapping tips.
Guide Review - Review: '2005 American Racing Manual'
Back for its 110th edition, the American Racing Manual is the official reference manual of Thoroughbred racing. Under editor Paula Welch-Prather, the "old guard" of racing books has never looked better. At a record 2,190 pages, Welch-Prather outdid herself by packing in even more data yet keeping the Manual at its affordable $40 list price. Among the data that readers have come to expect include the most comprehensive recap of the 2004 racing season to be found anywhere. Charts of each graded stakes run in North America in 2004 is included, along with the past performances for all Graded Stakes and Eclipse Award winners. Followers of speed won't be disappointed, as Beyer figures and race times figure prominently. The ARM is where you will find the most current list of world record times. For each North American racetrack (and some foreign) you can view a diagram of what the track looks like and a list of its track records. Finally, also included are informational sections like the "Rules of Racing", pari-mutuel takeout by state, a directory of racing organizations, and an except from Brad Free's book "Handicapping 101" to help new fans decipher the past performances and hopefully turn a profit at the windows. Accompanying all this data are the useful Year in Review articles, written by Jay Privman (American racing), Bill Tallon (Canadian racing), Alan Shuback (foreign racing), Joe Clancy (steeplechasing), Glenye Cain (breeding and sales), and Daniel Kim (necrology).
