Very interesting & informative posts all.

(1)Nunzio: I am of 2 minds re your suggestion to go solo. I've had some documented success that way. On the other hand, if your're part of the right group, you can learn from each other, such as the time someone stopped me from betting on a horse which was probably lame. However,a major problem arises when it comes to the complicated task of "culling" a member for any no. of reasons, including lack of skill. Four of my posse spent the last BC with the gang who hit the $3 mill BC pk6 at GP, & I was mightly impressed with the way they worked together. Also noteworthy is the incredible sucess of the teams in Hong Kong reported in the Mar. issue of Wired, which I'm told will be available online 3/12.

(2)Derby1592: It's apparent you have considered & know a great deal re this issue & I'm wondering if bet size & other factors play a role. I've always subscribed to the theory that everyone has a "comfort level" for prime plays, which may be consistent with the idea that to a certain extent success may be inversely related to concern over outcomes. Perhaps another relevant example this time of yr. is if you have a large no. of novice friends who will be anxiously awaiting your Derby pick & you know that the only thing they will understand is whether or not they had a winner.

(3)Phil Mandl: Like HP, I've read the Ledbetter book. I've also viewed the tape & read Tkach's(sp) stuff, although I've not signed up for his "day at the races" plan. Still, with one notable exception, I still don't get it. The exception is in a way related to the interesting article in the most recent Blood-Horse re whether on some level great horses "know" they are special. The charisma or whatever you call that I saw in Victory Ride before her mdn race was quite literally breathtaking, & this is coming from a guy whose skill level in this area is close to zero. I am absolutely convinced she wld have won the BC & 3 yr old filly honors if she wasn't injured. More to the pt,I for one am very interested in learning what you have to say about observing horses in the paddock.