This is my eighth annual horse racing Christmas gift column. It's becoming more popular each year judging by the number of things sent for me to review.

In my humble opinion, I believe I have a perfect book for the newcomer fan, "Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies" written by yours truly. The Dummies series are the best "how to" books in the business. Not only do I introduce horse racing and handicapping to novices, but there's plenty of information to make this a reference book for all horseplayers.

DRF Press released many good handicapping books this year, including "Handicapping 101" by Brad Free; "Pedigree Handicapping" by Lauren Stich; "Six Secrets of Successful Bettors" by Frank Scatoni and Pete Fornatale; "Betting Maidens & 2-Year-Olds" by Dan Illman.

Two DVDs include the classic movie "Seabiscuit," not new but still a wonderful present, and "Laffit -- All About Winning." Laffit chronicles the career of Laffit Pincay Jr., the world's winningest jockey.

For those fact checkers in the crowd, there's the 2005 American Racing Manual and the 2005 Thoroughbred Times Racing Almanac.

"Against the Odds, Riding for My Life" is the autobiography of jockey Jerry Bailey. USAToday sportswriter Tom Pedulla co-wrote it. The book is painfully honest. But it's a great read about a real champion.

The late author William Murray loved horse racing, and his final novel "Dead Heat" might be the best of his storied writing career.

"After the Finish Line" by Bill Heller is about the race to end horse slaughter in America.

"Bruno on Workouts" by Bruno De Julio is a bit pricey at $35 but still an interesting read. Bruno is one of the top clockers in Southern California.

Eclipse Press released some good titles, including "10 Best Kentucky Derbies" by the staff of the Blood-Horse; "Diary of a Dream" by George Rowand; "Handicapping the Wall Street Way" by Mark Ripple; and "Bold Ruler" by Ed Bowen.

Richard Eng's horse racing column is published Friday. He can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com.