historical perspective
One major thing missing from most handicappers today is the knowledge and respect required in evaluating horses by use of the simple yardstick of historical perspective. EVERYTHING in horse racing has happened before (yes, even craziness like Rick's Natural Star) and without a comparative backlog of relative merits to choose from it makes confronting many apparently unique situations easier to understand.
Much akin to any other endeavor: the more you know about a subject the better you understand it. I really suggest people find a copy of The History of Thoroughbred Racing in America by William H. P. Robertson (Bonanza Press) as delving into the history of this great game is both enlightening and helpful.
|