Ciaran Thornton, the head handicapper at California Pick 4, grew up in Ireland and at a young age, thanks to his dad’s guidance, learned the art of horse handicapping.

Honing his skills over the years at Santa Anita and then Del Mar, Ciaran has now focused his attention on the daily Pick 4 and Pick 5 bets at Southern California racetracks with an emphasis on long-shot and value plays.

It takes a knowledgeable, talented and of course lucky horse handicapper to rise to the challenge and find winners. That’s where we come in! Ciaran hosts the Newcomers Seminar at the Del Mar Race Track every Friday and Sunday during the Summer and Fall meets and is also a contributor to the Los Angeles Times Daily Horse Racing Newsletter, and to the Del Mar and Santa Anita Handicapping websites.  Ciaran also writes the Del Mar value play for the Union Tribune Sports page.