THE ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY AND OAKS, A HANDICAPPING COURSE (15) The Summit (Theater Room), 1 Perry Rd., Saratoga Springs

Fridays, 10-11:30am (7 sessions, Starts February 13, See dates below)

This will be the third year I have run this course. We will analyze the preliminary races leading up to the Kentucky Derby and its female counterpart, the Kentucky Oaks. The idea will be to look at each race, define the contenders and to analyze replays of the races after they are run. Each participant will be asked to contribute to a winner take all pool that will cover the races we analyze. The course will span the winter and spring terms starting in February and ending with the Oaks/Derby the first week of May. The races we look at is analogous to following the playoffs in any major sport and my hope is that you will walk away with an appreciation for the process of analyzing races and hopefully picking winners.

1.Feb 13: Introduction to Handicapping plus races from Fair Grounds racetrack in New Orleans

2.Feb 27: Races from Gulfstream Park (Fla) and Oaklawn Park (Ark)

3.Mar 6: Races from Santa Anita (Cal), end of pool 1

4.Mar 20: Start of final derby prep races from Fair Grounds

5.Mar 27: Races from Gulfstream Park (Fla) and Oaklawn Park (Ark)

6.Apr 3: Races from Santa Anita, Keeneland (Ky), Aqueduct (NY), end of pool 2

7.May 1: Kentucky Oaks and Derby discussion

Cost: We will run 2 pools with a total entry cost of $20. The first pool will cover the preliminary qualifying races in February and early March. The 2nd pool will cover the final qualifying races leading up to the Oaks & Derby.

Text: Materials we will use to analyze the races - the racing forms and analysis spreadsheets will be provided.

Leader: For Bill Robeson, horse racing has been a hobby of mine for 61 years and I have developed significant insight into handicapping and betting (money management)