Steve Davidowitz, a former member of National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, has died at age 77.
His son Brad made the disclosure on Sunday, April 14 after Davidowitz was found at his residence in Summerlin, Nevada.
According to Daily Racing Form (DRF), where Davidowitz once worked, his most famous work, "Betting Thoroughbreds," is considered "one of the most influential handicapping books even written." The book was published in 1977.
"I'd like to imagine he basically died doing what he loved, that he passed while doing what he loved," Brad Davidowitz, who lives in Minnesota, told DRF. "Romantically, I envision that he was writing a story, watching replays preparing for a story. He really enjoyed still being able to do relevant things about horse racing."
Davidowitz wrote for newspapers in Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Houston, Oakland and St. Petersburg; for Daily Racing Form, Sport Magazine, Gaming Today and The Racing Times; and served as an editor of Turf and Sport Digest and the American Racing Manual.
Most recently, Davidowitz wrote columns called Across the Board for Horse Racing Nation (HRN).
“It was an honor to have worked in any capacity with Steve, who quite literally wrote the book on handicapping,” said HRN editor Jonathan Lintner. “He certainly left a lasting mark on the industry.”
Among other things, the book, some 300 pages long, initiated concepts like “key races” and "track biases" that are widely accepted today.
Davidowitz also authored, among other books, "The Best and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing." About 10 years ago, Davidowitz updated his most important work, re-releasing it as "Betting Thoroughbreds for the 21st Century."
Davidowitz was a 1964 graduate of Rutgers University. An athlete, he pitched for the Rutgers baseball team.
He is survived by his son Brad, two grandchildren, a brother, and two sisters.
By Dick Downey
