He credits Andrew Beyer, Steve Davidowitz, James Quinn, Tom Brohamer, Mark Cramer, and particularly William Quirin for his early development as a handicapper but understands that to be profitable in today’s wagering world, new and better methods are required.

Toward that end, he created and refined his Win Factor and Pace Profile reports — based on extensive database research — in the late 1990s, just as multi-track wagering (via simulating) was beginning to exert its influence on the sport.

For awhile, Derek also ran his own Web site (appropriately called Simon Says Racing), produced a racing podcast (the Simon Says Audio Show) and was a co-host of the Thoroughbred Connection, an Internet radio show once sponsored by TVG and carried by World Talk Radio.

During the time he recorded his podcast and radio show, Derek interviewed some of the biggest names in racing, including the aforementioned Beyer, Davidowitz, Quinn, Brohamer and Cramer, as well as Steven Crist, Steve Haskin, Ralph Siraco, Randy Moss, Russell Baze, Pat Day, Laffit Pincay, Jr. and a host of others. What’s more, his free on-the-air picks (limited to the top stakes races of the weekend) yielded a 25.6% ROI from 307 selections.

Currently a full-time freelance business/sports writer, Derek has been published by Motley Fool, Newsmax, Dulcinea Media, Beacon Equity Research, MVN.com and a host of other online and offline venues. His sports and handicapping pieces have been featured by AOL.com, Handicapping.com, Equidaily.com and others.

Derek is sincerely interested in helping new and old fans alike become better players and winners.