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Horseplayers: Life at the Track | 
 enlarge | Author: Ted Mcclelland
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Category: Book
List Price: $16.95
Buy New: $10.28
You Save: $6.67 (39%)
New (24) Used (8) from $9.94
Avg. Customer Rating:  14 reviews
Sales Rank: 170693
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 272
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7
ISBN: 155652675X
Dewey Decimal Number: 798.4010973
EAN: 9781556526756
ASIN: 155652675X
Publication Date: May 1, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
This fun and witty expose of horse racing in America goes behind the scenes at the track, providing a serious gambler's-eye view of the action. Ted McClelland spent a year at tracks and off-track betting facilities in Chicago and across the country, profiling the people who make a career of gambling on horses. This account follows his personal journey of what it means to be a horseplayer as he gambles with his book advance using various betting and handicapping strategies along the way. A colorful cast of characters is introduced, including the intensely disciplined Scott McMannis, "The Professor," a onetime college instructor who now teaches a course in handicapping, and Mary Schoenfeldt, a former nun and gifted handicapper who donates all of her winnings to charity. This moving account of wins, losses, and personal turmoil provides a realistic look at gamblers, gambling, and life at the track.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
 Horseplayers - Life at the Track February 13, 2008
OK but I had to struggle through it. I wouldn't recommend it for a seasoned horse player!
 horseplayers primer February 11, 2008
The premise alone invites envy and curiosity. What aspiring writer would not wish to be paid for the priviledge of researching and writing about his own vice and be given a year to do it. The author's grasp of the material gives credibility even to his introduction to the world of thoroughbreds. His exposure of the invisible(to the ordinary visitor to the track)cadre of inveterate bettors is a real introduction to the pecking order and the order of intellect. From the railbirds to the racing form studiers tucked away in their respective hideouts waiting to make their move the author brings them to life.
As one who has followed the racing scene for over forty years and has spent a lot of time on the back of track I will admit to learning much more about what distinguishes horseplayers from handicappers and the art of betting the bettors and not the horses.
I look forward to his next book. Apparently another paid for vacation to explore the third coast. Another very clever premise.
Congratulations to the author.
Horseplayers: Life at the Track December 11, 2007
Found the book to be an easy read for me. I could relate to most of the characters in the book. I would recommend this book to anybody.
These great character sketches are all winners! May 13, 2007
This is a fun book for the literate two-dollar bettor or for anyone whose pulse quickens when they hear the words "Breeders Cup" or "Kentucky Derby." Mr. McClelland really captures the variety and perseverance of the dedicated handicappers who make the track their second home. I grew up going to the track with my father, and have met the same types at tracks in the midwest and Florida years ago. (Maybe old horseplayers don't die -- they just go to another meet?) Some of the characters and vignettes are funny, some poignant; and all are well-written and very entertaining. Damon Runyon would have loved it!
Excellent Read April 3, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Every writer hopes for that one book that will define their career. Capote had his " Cold Blood" and Lee her "Mockingbird". And now Ted McClelland lands his with "Horseplayer". Yes, in it's own genre it is just that good. For anyone who ever dared to the grandstand side of the track. For anyone who ever revered Newman and Gleason dueling it out at Ames Billiards. For anyone that wondered what happened to the wagering in Seabiscuit. This is the otherside. "This is Ames Mr". No racing fan or handicapper that's worn the proud hand stains of Form print should be without a copy.
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