Handicapping the Stimulus

The State of New York has named the person in charge of spending Federal stimulus money in the State, and I like the way he thinks.....

Timothy J. Gilchrist, New York's stimulus czar, is using analytical skills honed from handicapping racehorses to win more federal aid.

Gilchrist has lived within a short drive of the Saratoga Race Course for most of his 51 years. That's where he can be found watching the thoroughbreds on weekends during the summer and some weekdays, if his job as a top adviser to Gov. David A. Paterson allows.

"Handicapping is analysis; it's looking for the hidden things, what gives a horse an advantage," Gilchrist said. "I'm now handicapping the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, looking for what gives New York State an advantage."

I hope he hits a few superfectas with Uncle Sam's bankroll!