"What makes Scott such an excellent handicapper is the time, dedication and attention to detail he puts into making his selections. Scott has been a friend of mine for several years and has always been passionate about handicapping harness races. However, the fact that Scott is of 'championship-caliber' is the reason I fully endorse him."
Luc Ouellette, Harness Driver, Back-to-Back Driver of the Year - Harness Tracks of America, Inc.
"Unquestionably, Scott Alberg has an undying passion for harness racing. He also has the skills of one of the game's elite handicappers, as evidenced by his win at the 2006 NHHC. I would highly recommend tapping into his established wagering and handicapping success."
Gary Seibel, TVG racing analyst & host of NBC's coverage of the Hambletonian
"Scott Alberg uses his innate ability to constantly find angles that work... and not all of them are familiar. Every time I check the standings for any harness contest, I always see Scott's name near the top of the leader's board. That's a testament to his tenacious, get-the-job done work ethic, and believe me... it works!"
Dave Brower, Meadowlands Racetrack handicapper, Morning-line oddsmaker, Racing host - SportsNet NY, Special guest host - TVG's Drive Time, Author - Harnessing Winners
"Scott is the consummate harness fanatic. He is fully aware of degrees and ability of horses, trainers and drivers that compete at the track and, as a horse owner, he has an added advantage. Scott is one of the hardest workers and most dependable people I know. For those who check handicappers for Meadowlands racing, I cannot think of anyone who I could recommend more highly."
Marv Bachrad, Dover Downs Harness Racing Publicity Director
"With his passion for harness racing and handicapping prowess, I would use Scott Alberg as a source for all my harness racing questions and handicapping insight."
Mike Sardella, Saratoga Gaming & Raceway handicapper, Morning-line oddsmaker, Track announcer
"World & National Harness Handicapping Champion Scott Alberg knows harness racing from every perspective, having seen the sport as an owner and a horseplayer alike. His experience on the backstretch certainly reflects in his handicapping, as he has proven himself able to capitalize on subtle changes which result in considerable value."
James Witherite, Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack track announcer
"Whenever you are at the racetrack, you should always be looking for that edge. There is no sharper edge in harness racing than Scott Alberg. 4NJPicks.com is where to go to find that edge. There is a reason Scott Alberg is the most successful handicapper of the past few years, winning multiple handicapping contests in the process. Before you go to the track, be sure to consult 4NJPicks.com... and get the edge!"
Darin Zoccali, Tioga Downs announcer / Meadowlands Racetrack TV host & analyst
"Winning a National handicapping tournament once could sometimes be considered luck. Twice is a bit more difficult to argue. But four times and a second place finish as well tells me all I need to know. With hundreds of players competing in each contest, Scott has proven he is definitely among the elite handicappers in the game today."
Jordan Stratton, Harness Driver
"I think it is wonderful to have a website where people can purchase racing selections from a seasoned, professional handicapper - the caliber of Scott Alberg. To me, it's a no-brainer. 30 years handicapping in this business is big! Now, combine that with a man who has won more National titles and more prize money than anyone in harness racing history and the odds are clearly in your favor."
Stacy Chiodo, Owner, Trainer, Driver… World record holder – fastest mile ever by a female
"When Scott Alberg handicaps a race, it comes after hours of race analysis and videotape review. It's sound advice you can rely on."
Ron Pierce, Hall of Fame harness driver
"I marvel at Scott's handicapping skills along with his knowledge of the horse industry. Scott is one of the most passionate people in the sport today. I am very pleased to call Scott a friend and I put my trust in him 100%. The racing world needs more people like Scott as he is a true asset in every way."
Jeff Bamond, NJ Horseman & Owner
"Scott Alberg has been around the racetrack long enough to know what is important and what is not in handicapping races. He has an eye for spotting great value in a race as attested by his multiple handicapping tournament wins. Bottom-line: Scott will only enhance your chances of winning."
Tom Fanning, NJ Horseman & Trainer
"I'm not really sure how Scott picks winners as well as he does, but nothing beats 30 years experience and being a National Handicapping Champion doesn't hurt either. If you are looking for help with picking winners, you have certainly come to the right place. While there is no such thing as a sure thing, professional handicappers do this for a living and Scott Alberg is among the best I've ever seen."
Jason Bartlett, USA World Driving Champion
"Throughout the years, some of the biggest payouts I've ever made were to Scott Alberg. But the interesting thing is seeing people rush to stand behind Scott when he gets on line to bet. Everyone wants to know who Scott's betting. It's crazy how often that happens."
Fred Szablicki, Meadowlands Racetrack - 35 year veteran teller
"Scott could very well be the best handicapper I've ever seen. He certainly cashes enough tickets! On the occasions when Scott arrives late to the racetrack, he asks me whether or not speed is holding up. If the track is off, Scott wants to know about the track bias. No stone is ever left unturned."
Roger Bowen, Meadowlands Racetrack - 35 year veteran teller
"So often I go to these 'race-analysis' websites to ascertain where the value is. In this way, I can look to get a 'price' on my horse. But what good is a price if the horse doesn't win? Scott Alberg simply picks winners and quite often you'll get good value to. This is definitely the website for me!"
Dr. Daniel Wank, D.D.S., P.C.
"Scott has proven to me that he has the ability to see a race unravel in his head. He seems to know who is going to leave even when (on paper) it doesn't look that way. Then Scott somehow predicts the order of horses at each mile marker with amazing accuracy. By the top of the stretch, Scott already knows who's in position to score and who's out of gas. Amazing!"
Anthony Coletta, Harness Driver & Trainer
"Although Scott's World & NHHC wins came at the Meadowlands Racetrack, I couldn't understand why he would limit his handicapping expertise to just the Big M. So I asked Scott this question and his answer was most impressive. Scott said he couldn't do his best work if he had to juggle handicapping assignments. Enough said."
John Sherota, NY Horseman & Trainer
"What impresses me most about Scott's picks is that they're often not obvious. Quite frankly, I don't know how he does it with such consistency."
Trade Martin, Harness horseman, Vocalist, Composer-arranger
"Scott's years of experience have made him a top notch handicapper who understands the importance of uncovering value. Winning is good, winning at a price is even better!"
Ben Medich, SportsEye chart caller
"Scott Alberg picks winners but does so with uncanny consistency. I know some of the finest handicappers in the game but none of them can compete with Scott when it comes to consistently picking winners. Scott is a seasoned handicapping professional who simply knows the game of harness racing inside-out."
Dr. Jerome S. Lustbader, D.M.D., F.A.G.D., P.C.
"If there's a better handicapper than Scott Alberg, I'd like to know who it is. Scott just always seems to know who's going to win. I don't know why he even bothers with a program."
Walter Case, Jr., Harness Driver, 2nd all-time winningest driver in harness racing history
"Being out on the apron of the Winner's Circle, I often see Scott watching the horses score down. Sometimes I see Scott with binoculars in hand and other times he has a stopwatch. What I can tell you for sure is that Scott is one of the hardest working handicappers out there."
Rosie Jodice, Meadowlands Racetrack - 18 year Winner's Circle staff member
"With 30+ years experience as an expert handicapper, Scott has truly transformed the science of handicapping into the science of making money. I am not sure what his system is, but it really works and that's all I need to know."
Stu Oppenheimer, NJ Horseman & Owner
"Scott Alberg's handicapping is at the highest level and his passion for harness racing is equaled by none. I will use Scott's advice at the window every time."
Mike Lizzi, Racetrack photographer
"It is important for me to know exactly how Scott arrived at his decision and Scott shares this information with you. I enjoy handicapping myself but I like to read about Scott's assessment of things. It serves as powerful information for me."
Dr. Tom Stark, D.M.D., F.A.G.D., D.A.B.D.S.M.
"I've gone to the racetrack with Scott on several occasions and it's almost 'magical' the confidence I feel going to the betting window with him. Scott spends hours upon hours reviewing videotape replays. No wonder he's so good."
Jon Lione, NJ Harness Driver
In Ethan's Honor
by Jessica Simmons
Ethan Barreto may be gone, but In Ethan's Honor keeps his spirit alive.
The horses were at the halfway mark in the 2007 Breeders Crown elimination for 2-year old pacing colts when In Ethan's Honor, a 45-1 shot driven by Ron Pierce, looked to be in a great position to score with a second-over trip. Anticipation swept over Scott Alberg as his horse fought to maintain his pace.
By the three-quarter mark, however, the intensity and speed became too much for In Ethan's Honor, and the other horses left him far behind in their wake. Although the pacer finished last, Alberg does not consider it a wasted effort, for no horse has brought him more joy or enabled him to spread the excitement of racing further.
He was, after all, named in Ethan's honor.
The original Ethan, Ethan Barreto, was diagnosed in 2005 with anaplastic ependymoma, a malignant brain tumor. At the age of 4 he underwent an extensive surgery that left him needing a feeding tube, yet still allowed him to return to school and carry on his daily activities. Things seemed to be going well until 2006 when the cancer returned, and Ethan's doctors were unable to control its spread. The doctors said he had two to three months left to live.
That's when Alberg came into the picture. A mutual friend shared with him Ethan's story, after which Alberg immediately contacted the Barretos to show his concern and offer support.
"It took us aback a bit," admitted Ethan's father, Tom. "At first we thought, 'Who is this guy?' Then we found out he knew our son's preschool teacher–and we were more receptive to meet him. We were grateful he had the heart that he had, because he fell in love with our son, and our son took to him as well."
Alberg has been a fan of racing ever since he was a teenager visiting The Meadowlands in 1978. Since then he has owned eight horses, with In The Paint and Stage Avian being the most notable names.
"Once I bought my first horse it was a dream come true and an amazing thrill," he said. "Although I've never made money in the business, it's hard to take harness [racing] out of your blood once it’s in you.”
Yet, while Alberg loves the sport of harness racing, he says that coaching Little League is his passion, and he has been involved with the Weehawken Cal Ripken Youth Baseball League for 19 years. During his years as a coach, Alberg's passion quickly transformed into compassion and he has been using his influence in the community to help and support those in need in any way he can.
"I like to help disadvantaged kids that have tons of adversity to overcome," he said. "If I find out about a tragedy, whatever it is , I want to offer my help. I can only do so much but I want to be there."
Alberg met with Ethan as often as he could during his final months. Eventually Ethan's seizures became too intense, leaving Alberg with no other choice but to say his final goodbyes. Ethan died in early 2006, just shy of his fifth birthday.
After Ethan's death, a heartbroken Alberg decided to carry on Ethan's memory be dedicating his 2006 Little League season to him, just as he did in 2004 for 11-year-old Kenny Benkovic Jr., who died of brain cancer that same year.
After the season was over, however, Alberg felt there had to be more he could do to honor Ethan, so in October he purchased the Life Sign yearling, Emotional Life, and renamed him In Ethan's Honor.
Bred at Brittany Farms in Versailles, Ky., In Ethan's Honor was put under the care of George Barsa, and Colleen and Michael Posner, who took to him right away.
"I've worked with In Ethan's Honor ever since he was a baby," Barsa said. "I broke him. He's like a little kid–he tries very hard and always does the right thing. He wants to race, wants to be on the tracks."
As a 2-year-old, In Ethan's Honor made eight starts, with one win and four third-place finishes. He took a 1:56.4 mark in a qualifier at Gaitway Farm and finished the year with $12,793 in earning. Yet to everyone who knows about Ethan and the memory the horse holds for him, winning isn't necessarily the highest priority.
Barsa remembers the Barretos' visit to In Ethan's Honor as a particularly powerful moment.
"They started crying and couldn't believe they had a horse named after their son," Barsa said. "It was a very emotional thing seeing [In Ethan's Honor] being happy and jumping around in the stall, and they felt really good about it. They were very happy."
"[The Barretos and I] go out periodically to the farm to see In Ethan's Honor and that's the greatest thrill of all," added Alberg. "Just seeing the horse meant the world to them, and they are so grateful, but I'm not sure they understand how good I feel doing this. To me, it's like, how can you not do these things?"
After hearing stories about Ethan, though, it is no surprise that anyone would be so determined to carry on his memory.
"He was a very wise young man," Barreto said about his son. "He'd do anything for a laugh. Argue his points to the point where you would give up or give in. He put others' concerns in front of his own. He had a very giving, loving soul. He was a great kid."
In Ethan's Honor has returned to the track as a 3-year-old, and those around him hope he will continue to spread the hope and inspiration that come from the memory of a small boy who left too soon.
"I have no expectations," Barreto said. "Throughout life if you expect things to happen, they generally don't happen the way you want them to. Just to know that there's somewhat of a legacy of our son out there is enough for us."
Jessica Simmons is a freelance writer living in Ohio. • Hoof Beats • September 2008
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