Lauren Stich Pedigree Handicapper

An aficionado of racing since she was barely a teen, Lauren Stich got her start in racing at the statistical department of The Morning Telegraph in 1970. When the "Telly" closed its New York offices in 1972 and relocated to Hightstown, New Jersey to become the Daily Racing Form, Stich accepted an offer to sing professionally with the early girl-groups of rock and roll (Arlene Smith & the Chantels, Reparata & the Delrons, Shangri-Las, Little Eva, etc.).

The emergence of The Racing Times lured Stich back to racing, where she wrote a daily pedigree column, "Today's Two Year Olds." After the untimely demise of The Racing Times, Stich continued her column for the Staten Island Advance, and began freelancing for Thoroughbred Racing Action and American Turf Monthly. She also wrote "The Pedigree Page" and authored the foreward and a chapter in "Handicapping in Cyberspace - The Horseplayer's Complete Guide to the Internet," edited by George Kaywood. Stich also wrote a chapter, "Stich on Pedigrees", in "Bet With The Best", and the best-selling "Pedigree Handicapping," published by the Daily Racing Form, considered the authoritative work on the subject. Her chapter in her most recent book, "Bet With the Best 2: Longshots", centers on the hidden turf (HT) factor, a term she coined to highlight overlays in grass races.

A Thoroughbred breeder, Lauren is also a bloodstock agent and consultant, advising clients on stallion matings for broodmares as well as the purchase of broodmares, yearlings and two-year-olds. Two of her recommendations came at the same Ocala sale of 2-year-olds in April, 1997 (stakes winners Heritage of Gold @ $30,000 and Cassidy @ $33,000). At the September Keeneland 2001 Yearling Sale, Stich selected an Elusive Quality filly from the exceptional stakes-producing female family of La Troienne for $70,000. Named Priceless Quality, she won 2 of 4 starts (at Aqueduct and Pimlico on dirt and turf) before an injury forced her retirement. Her value skyrocketed after her older half-brother, Honor in War, a $1 million + earner, won the gr. 1 Woodford Reserve Stakes, the race before the Kentucky Derby.

Stich was a pedigree analyst on Sportschannel's nightly show, "Thoroughbred Racing Action" hosted by Harvey Pack, and became a regular guest on the New York Racing Association's "Paddock Show" with Mary Ryan. She also co-hosted a weekly Thoroughbred radio show from New York City, "Turf Talk", with racetrack announcer Larry Lederman and Peter Parella.

Relocating to Las Vegas in 1997, Stich uses her knowledge of pedigrees as a handicapping tool. To this end, she won the Bally's Summer Stakes Handicapping Tournament ($30,000) at Las Vegas in July, 2000.

Stich wrote two weekly columns for Daily Racing Form called "Pedigree Handicapping," for 10 years. In addition, Stich continues to freelance for various industry publications such as American Turf Monthly, and also writes pedigree handicapping selections for todaysracingdigest.com. Stich is the pedigree analyst and commentator on the "Thoroughbred Digest" Radio Show hosted by Jay Privman and "Race Day Las Vegas" Radio Show (KSHP-1400 AM) hosted by Ralph Siraco. She was also a featured speaker at "Expo 2000, 2004 amd 2007" in Las Vegas and has presented seminars at Belmont Park, Saratoga, Del Mar, Gulfstream Park, Hollywood Park as well as Ballys Las Vegas and the Reno Hilton.

In 2001, 2002 and 2003, Stich was Captain of Team Radio (one of four media teams) in the media tournament for the DRF/NTRA Handicapper of the Year contest, and Team Las Vegas (Radio) won in 2001, donating $10,000 to various charities.

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