As a breeder, Jim Selvidge had discovered the Princequillo-Nasrullah "nick" before Secretariat hit the track in 1973 and revealed this pedigree dynamic to the world. Several Stakes winners ran under his silks, which included five consecutive years in which every one of his runners turned a profit for the racing year.
Off his publicized success, he was asked by the University of Washington to design a Course in "Advanced Thoroughbred Handicapping" for their adult Continuing Education Evening School. Selvidge authored "Hold Your Horses" as a textbook (the Course was adopted by colleges, Coast to Coast, in the 1970's) and taught the U. of W. offering for a decade.
On the announcement of impending race simulcasting by Caesar's Palace in 1983, Selvidge relocated to Las Vegas, certain it would become the technology center of Thoroughbred racing. Partnered with Trillis Parker, seminars throughout the 80's led to the development of TRULINE - "THE PROFESSIONAL", tutoring, and the 1997 BBS.
He has also authored "The Anatomy of A Race Meet" (special focus on "angle plays" and maximizing profits from same), "Money Management", and "The Race Fixers" (attacking Racing Commissions and officials for not acting on Rules of Racing specific to public information and the public's "right to know"). His TRULINE Users and BBS subscribers have become literally a fraternity of winning horse players. Selvidge can be reached by E-Mail: at horsestk@horsestalk.com.
It took but one visit to a race track for Trillis Parker to ask herself an all-important question: "Will I cash more tickets staying up all night studying the Daily Racing Form, or in spending my time near the horses (and trainers and jockeys)? As a single mother with two teenage sons, she had learned well the importance of reading "body language". Why should it be any different with Thoroughbreds?
For 2000 consecutive races, Trillis Parker was front and center for best viewing of the Walking Ring, Paddock, and Post Parade. Every race she was making notes on every horse. From this emerged a vocabulary as to the "body signs" associated with equine physiology, optimum Thoroughbred conformation, peak condition, and the health and attitude signs of the race horse.
In the 1980's she lectured by invitation at race tracks from Calder (Florida) to Exhibition Park (Vancouver, B.C.). To bring her knowledge to a wider audience, she wrote "Horse Talk: It Pays To Listen" and produced two videos "Horses Talk: The Paddock And Post Parade" and "Horses Talk: Where It Begins, The Early Years". While a columnist for "The Racing Times" (a DRF competitor), she was saluted by ESPN icon Pete Axthelm, who on the air called her "my personal guru" when picking a huge winning longshot vs his fellow broadcasters of the day.
Those who seek professionalism in Thoroughbred handicapping and parimutuel investment seek her out toward mastering this important visual handicapping expertise. Her book and videos are available through the Order Form, and she can be reached by E-Mail: horsestk@horsetalk.com.