George E. Smith (gambler)

This article is about the American handicapper and Thoroughbred owner. For the physicist, see George E. Smith.

George E. Smith
George E. Smith
Born(1862-07-13)July 13, 1862
Sewickley, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedFebruary 1, 1905(1905-02-01) (aged 42)
Asheville, North Carolina, U.S.
Resting placeUnion Dale Cemetery, Pittsburgh
Other namesPittsburgh Phil
Occupation(s)Cork cutter, professional gambler
Known forHandicapping, Thoroughbred racehorse owner
Signature

George Elsworth Smith (July 13, 1862 – February 1, 1905) was an American gambler and Thoroughbred horse racing enthusiast who became a multi-millionaire during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Smith was given the nickname "Pittsburgh Phil" in 1885 by Chicago gambler William "Silver Bill" Riley to differentiate him from the other Smiths that also frequented Riley's pool halls.[1] Pittsburgh Phil is considered by many handicappers to have been an expert strategist, winning large sums of money at a time when racing statistic publications, such as The Daily Racing Form, were not widely available. At the time of his death from tuberculosis in 1905, he had amassed a fortune worth $3,250,000,[2] which is comparable to $US 110,211,111 today.[3] His racing Maxims, published posthumously in 1908, are considered to be the foundations of many modern handicapping strategies and formulas.[4]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference mcgill1 74 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference philcash was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Friedman, S. Morgan. "The Inflation Calculator". Archived from the original on August 8, 2007. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference scott was invoked but never defined (see the help page).