DETAILED DESCRIPTION: “A STATISTICAL APPROACH to BETTING THE HORSE RACES” (second edition) provides historical results from over 8,000 races and 23 racetracks. This book will shed new light on handicapping and the probability of winning at the racetrack and Gambling in general. Picking winners frequently does not insure going home a winner. Along with win frequency, bet efficiency must be considered to be a successful track bettor. In the beginning sections of "A Statistical Approach to Betting the Horse Races", simple probability and statistics are discussed to give the reader a basic understanding of how statistics relate to gambling. Other basics such as morning line odds, real time odds, and the para-mutual betting system are explained. Finish position, trifecta, superfecta, and pick-3 statistical results are provided in track by track easy to read hit frequency and efficiency charts. The data is based on the final real time odds with the race favorite being the "A" horse. The next most bet horse is the "B" horse and so on to the last horse in the race. Additionally, the formulas for calculating probabilities using win position data are provided and explained in the text. This guidebook does not pick horses by traditional handicapping methods, but rather looks for those bet combinations that consistently return over time more than the amount wagered. "A Statistical Approach to Betting the Horse Races" can be used alone or as a tool to improve your traditional handicapping methods.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: James Ross is a retired Electrical Engineering Graduate from Texas A&M University. He spent the bulk of his career working for the National Aeronautical & Space Administration (NASA) and Department of Defense (DOD) organizations. A significant amount of experience was obtained designing tests, analyzing results, and writing test reports related to Shuttle Orbiter Maneuvering System engines, High and Low Energy Laser Systems and Precision Guided Munitions (PGM’s) such as the Pave-way Laser Guided Bomb series. Much of the test design and analysis related to these systems involved the use of probability and statistics. Frequency and efficiency parameters were always important and were usually investigated in depth. Noteworthy, the techniques and principles used to evaluate and test the above systems applies directly to gambling and handicapping the horses at the racetrack. While serving as the Facilities Division Chief at the High Energy Laser System Test Facility located at White Sands Missile Range, James decided to take an early retirement offer and retired from Civil Service in 1993 at the grade of GM-14.