About Us

Mission Statement

Welcome to the world of Progressive Handicapping, where the goal is to put YOU in a position to succeed at the racetrack. We don’t sell "systems" or make pie-in-sky guarantees.

However, if you like to pick your own horses and appreciate the advantage held by those with an information edge, then you have come to the right place. What we offer is accurate data presented in an easy-to-read and entertaining format.

Our mission is to put you in a position to succeed at the wagering windows.

The PH Handicapping Arsenal

There are many ways to “attack” a race.  At PH, we provide you with several tools that will enable you to (1) eliminate several runners in each race; and (2) hone in on one or more runners that can win the race.  Our product line attacks on two fronts: (1) trainer strengths and weaknesses; and (2) pedigree factors when applicable. 

Both of these fronts are driven by “historical” data that doesn’t guarantee future results but provides for a solid foundation in which to start your handicapping process.

Meet Specific Stats versus Diluted Generic Stats

There are many ways to “attack” a race.  At PH, we provide you with several tools that will enable you to (1)

Our trainer stats are “meet specific” as compared to the statistics carried in past performances published by Daily Racing Form and Brisnet and those available in the Thorograph speed sheets.  There is a big edge in using our meet specific stats over the generic stats in Daily Racing Form.  For example, let’s assume you are handicapping a race at the Saratoga meet and encounter a runner making its first start in six months.  The “generic” stats in DRF show that the horse’s trainer has compiled a mediocre 5-for-30 record with 90+ DAY LAYOFF RUNNERS at ALL tracks during the previous 24 months. 

However, our Saratoga Handicapper book (based on the last 3 meets at Saratoga ONLY) shows that the trainer’s record AT SARATOGA with 90+ DAY LAYOFFS is 4 for 10.  The sample size of our meet specific statistics is smaller but they provide a totally different picture.  That is the power of “meet specific” stats.

Trainer Stat Products Depend on the Race Meet

At every race meet covered, we provide two standard annual publications: (1) Handicapper book; and (2) Trainer Detail book. You can click on the links for a detailed look at each publication and the ability to download a previous edition.

But at some of the higher profile meets we add the following products:

(1)   Blue Chip Trainer Angles

(2)   Daily Sheets

Although our mission is for our customer to use the information and make their own selections, we do provide Daily Selections (based on our arsenal) for select meets like Saratoga, Gulfstream, Keeneland and Belmont.

Our Handicapper book series is statistics related.  However, for SARATOGA ONLY, we research and write profiles and mini-profiles for the 100 trainers selected.  We then publish a separate Saratoga Trainer Stats book that contains all of the relevant statistics for those 100 trainers.

Trainer Stat Products Based on TWO or THREE Race Meets

Our sample size depends on the length of the meet.  At long meets like Arlington Park and Woodbine, the two previous meets provide ample statistical coverage.  At shorter meets like Del Mar and Saratoga, we use the last three meets.

Pedigree Handicapping: The Last Frontier

In certain situations, the ability to combine the power of pedigree statistics with trainer statistics provides a huge edge over the general horseracing player population. 

Maiden races with multiple first time starters often comprise 20% of a typical race card especially at high profile summer meets like Del Mar and Saratoga.  Ditto for grass races for 2 and 3-year-olds in which many of the entrants have never raced on the turf.  And then there are the races run at the classic distance of 1 ¼ miles and the turf marathons at 1 ½ miles and longer. 

Our annual Sire Ratings publication allows our customers to easily assess a runner’s chances in those scenarios.  Other publications like Debut Trainer, Debut Sire and Turf Trainer provide rankings and details for trainer and sires with maiden FTS and turf runners.  Plus a daily ON LINE report, Sire Ratings ON LINE, provides easy access to our sire ratings thus saving hours of look up time and covers all the key race meets.

Historical Approach for the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup

Through the years, PH has applied its successful “historical” approach to trainer statistics to major marquis racing events like the Triple Crown jewels and the Breeders’ Cup.  For the TC, PH publishes an annual book based on the last 25 editions of the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.  The Triple Crown Handicapper uses that historical foundation to build a “winner’s profile” for each race. 

The undercard races for those TC events have become extremely popular especially with those who play serial wagers like the Pick 4, Pick 5 and Pick 6.  Our Triple Crown Undercard Handicapper analyzes the history of the key undercard races allowing the player to eliminate runners (and often favorites) that do not fit the historical profile.

For each of the TC races we also publish a Zone that matches up the runners entered in the current edition to the historical profile.  Selections are also available.

The same approach is also utilized with regards to the Breeders’ Cup.  Around September 15 of each year, we publish our annual edition of Crushing the Cup, the “bible” for handicappers who will be playing on that weekend.  Once the pre-entries are announced, we post the Crushing Zone, an in-depth analysis that ultimately tells the reader who the CONTENDERS, GRAY ZONERS or PRETENDERS are in each BC race.  Again, Breeders’ Cup Selections are also available for those who don’t have the time to handicap and/or want another opinion.

History of Progressive Handicapping

Progressive Handicapping, Inc. (PH) was incorporated in the state of Florida in 1991.  PH’s primary business is to write and publish annual publications (Handicapper book series) relating to various thoroughbred race meets in North America and Canada.  Jim Mazur is the sole owner of PH and serves as its President.

The initial publication was the Gulfstream Handicapper and, at that time in 1990, was available via mail only to those attending and playing the Gulfstream meet.  There was no simulcasting or Internet at the time.

The annual publications provide horseplayers with historic data but primarily focusing on trainer statistics. Chapters cover (1) racing surface biases; (2) jockey stats; (3) summary trainer records; (4) trainer rankings in various categories; and (5) 100 individual trainer statistical profiles.

PH also covers marquis annual racing events like the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup with historical analysis. Those annual publications are titled Triple Crown Handicapper and Crushing The Cup respectively.

In 2006, PH purchased the assets of Mike Helm pedigree book Sire Ratings and three related pedigree titles.  PH has since modernized Helm’s approach and now publishes the premier pedigree ratings relating to debut starters, debut turf starters, off track and stamina.

In 2010, PH began to post digitized versions (pdf) of its most popular titles for easy download from the Internet.

About Jim Mazur

Jim Mazur is the President of PH and its primary author.  Mazur founded Progressive Handicapping in 1991, and penning his first annual Gulfstream Handicapper book that year.  Through the years, he has expanded the product line as per above and grown the business eventually covering every major race meet and the annual marquis racing events.

During the year, Mazur holds numerous handicapping seminars around the country at domestic tracks like Monmouth Park, Saratoga, and Gulfstream Park.  He also visits Woodbine several times annually and hosts two of their handicapping tournaments during the summer.

Mazur is a native son of New Jersey and graduate of Duke University.  A transplanted Floridian since ‘75, Mazur resides in Cooper City, Florida with wife Davia, sons Andrew and Brian, and faithful golden Graedon.

About Other PH Employees and Co-Authors

Jim Bannon co-author of Woodbine Handicapper
Jim Bannon’s motto is that good decisions are made from good information.  Bannon has made Woodbine his second home during the past 40 years.  Since 1972, he has served as editor for the Journal, a daily handicapping analysis that provides horseplayers with functional information.  A University of Toronto graduate, Bannon is also a daily contributor to the Ontario Jockey Club’s in-house handicapping television show.  A native of Toronto, Jim resides there with his wife, Candy, and daughter, Rebecca.

Dennis Foley Director of Operations for Progressive Handicapping
Dennis Foley…

Hank Korenvaes co-author on Blue Chip Trainer Angle book series
Hank Korenvaes is a professional handicapper on the South Florida circuit.  Korenvaes has a three-prong approach to handicapping:  pace, trainer angles, and a horse’s visual appearance.  He is a student of pace and integrates such with Mazur’s trainer’s stats and completes the handicapping trifecta by relying on his eyes for the visuals.

Peter Mallett co-author on Crushing The Cup
Peter Mallett is a racing analyst who divides his time between Toronto, Vancouver and South Florida.  He is a regular contributor of racing views to news and broadcast services in Canada and United States through his company, Medea Satellite Communications.  Mallett has covered important race meetings in England and France, including Newmarket, Sandown, Ascot and Longchamp.  In '87 and '96, Mallett was a member of the Breeders' Cup notes team staff.