Thanks for making a good point I missed regarding Nick\'s picks. They have a level of sophistication that even someone like me (16 years using TG)found new and illuminating. As has always been the policy of Jerry, Alan and the rest of the TG staff, the forum door is  open to questions about why a certain pick was made. In truth, that was how I got to know more about Nick. During Del Mar this summer, I e-mailed the office to ask incredulously about how he could possibly pick a horse who was so much slower then the legit contenders and more incredibly make the horse a Bplus bet. His response which appeared on this board after the horse won and paid $60 centered around age issues and new tops. Qualities to look for  in a break- through pattern before it happens etc.It\'s a lot of sophisticated stuff what I like to refer to almost as \"grad school\" for sheet users. And I\'m not talking absolutes here as the reality is there are no absolutes in this game. Jerry and Alan disagree with some of Nick\'s methodology. That\'s why they have windows. Again the only thing that matters at the end of the day is, Are you winning? Can you win? This guy Nick wins.

 I did find it ironic that after my post  today Nick struck for a $10 Bplus winner at Calder (race 12) and a $24 Bplus winner at Santa Anita (race 6). And so it goes..........

I\'ve been away for a few days or would have replied to Treadhead sooner re: Nick\'s picks.
Nick is arguebly the best handicapper in the TG office and the results prove it. Yes, the sample days haven\'t been his best but if you were to review his record since he began handicapping you would find more then 20 horses who paid $40 or more. 10 who paid $50 or more and 3 who paid $70 or more. Add on a 69-1 shot (Ten Times Nobility) who was disqualified in a $100,000 stakes race at Churchill in June. This man is the KING of the price winner.
To your complaint that he was picking to many short priced horses as well as horses off tops; As anyone who followed Hollywood\'s meeting knows the small field size made finding longshots impossible. (Don\'t take my word ask anyone of any handicapping style). Nick changed his style to try to pick winners, regardless of the price. Perhaps this had some carryover effect into Santa Anita. Yes, at Santa Anita , with greater field size Nick should be picking more longshots and  longshot winners. I think if you continue to follow the redboard room you will see that happen. As everyone knows all handicappers go through peaks and valleys. I don\'t care how good you are. Keep watching Nick\'s picks and I\'m sure you will find out what I already know. This guy is the best!
And just curious on this. While it is certainly ok to question Nick\'s picks, why no mention of what was ptobably the single best day of handicapping put out by any service this year. I\'m talking about Saturday\'s Calder picks where there 6 straight picks threes given out which included winners paying $47 and $59. In two races (including the $47 winner) you only needed to use one horse and in only one race did you need to use as many as three, and that race yielded a $59 winner. The single best day of handicapping in 2002. Wish I had bet more but oh well..Happy New Year to all!