The DRF is full of a whole bunch of stats and figures, which we’ll be discussing below. Once you know how to decode the racing form, you’ll have a pretty good idea of which horses will (or at least should) do well.
Pace projections. By scanning the past performances, handicappers try to estimate the pace of the current race and determine which horse will benefit most from it. The first bold-face number, pace, shows whether the horse likes to be on the early lead or not. Speed projections. This is not the same as pace. Speed (the 2nd bold-faced number) shows the horse’s ability to pass other less-speedy horses as they near the finish line. Speed does not equal consistency (which pace can).
Distance, pace, and speed are very powerful in tandem. Looking at how your horse runs (and, as importantly, how she finishes) in different distances will clue you in to how she’ll perform in races of different lengths.
Don’t forget the weather! A little rain quickly turns that dirt into mud. Take into account how your horse has performed in this type of weather, not just the type of track.
One thing to consider is the size of the purse and where the horse is coming from. If the size of the purse is large, this is one classy horse – she’ll probably be pretty consistent (she didn’t get to the big leagues for nothing). And if she got flown in from somewhere, her owners paid a pretty penny to get her there, so they’ll probably break out all the stops to see her win.
You may want to consider other horse’s post positions, too. If a certain horse seems to be speedier on the inside and for this race is on the inside, this horse will be serious competition.
’’A racetrack program. ’’ This has information on all the horses, jockeys, trainers, and owners. The cost is usually $3. ’’Public handicapper selections. ’’: If your racetrack or OTB (off-track betting) is covered by the local newspaper, they may pay a handicapper to make daily horse selections. The cost is usually 50 cents. ’’Handicapping tip sheets. ’’ These are daily selections published by handicappers at the racetrack. The cost is usually $2. Tracks often simulcast from other tracks, too. This means you can watch the races live in one track and watch ‘’and bet on’’ races at other tracks being simulcast on TV. Imagine the bank you’d make if you won both!
Give yourself some extra time to sit down and study it. As you get better and better you’ll need less and less time, but for now work at least a few races in advance. Being patient and doing your homework will increase your odds like little else.
Show – your horse can get 1st, 2nd, or 3rd and you win Place – your horse can get 1st or 2nd and you win Win – your horse must get 1st to win Quinella – bet 2 or 3 horses to finish 1st or 2nd, in any order Exacta – bet 2 horses that must finish in 1st and 2nd in exact order Trifecta – bet 3 horses that must finish in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in exact order Superfecta – bet 4 horses that mush finish in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in exact order
Let’s say your horse has 3/1 odds. You multiple 3x2 to get $6. Divide that by 1, which is still $6. Then you add $2. You would make $8 on a $2 wager. Let’s take a bet where lots of people are betting, like on a horse with 1/9 odds. You multiply 1x2 to get $2. Then 2/9, which is about 20 cents. Plus $2, and your winnings is $2. 20.
If a horse was recently claimed, or bought. If someone is willing to shovel out a chunk of change for a horse, they probably have potential. If there are any recent equipment changes. The owner is zeroing in on how to improve their horse’s chances. Look at her workout speeds. Are they consistent? If she’s running at the same speed every day, she’s probably in top form. Consider the gender and breed. Generally speaking, males are faster than females. Only three fillies (females) have ever won the Kentucky Derby, for example. [4] X Research source And better-bred horses will outperform others, too.
Betting, quite frankly, in any arena, can be dangerous. It’s always important to know when to stop. Having 2 separate pockets can help you keep your head above water, too.
“At Saratoga, I’d like to bet on the 5th race – a $4 exacta on horses 3 and 7. " Make sure to do this before the 5th race, of course. Check your ticket before you leave the window, just to make sure it’s correct. The racetrack is specified as many tracks are likely simulcast at the track you are currently in.
When you go to the track, bring a pen and paper with you or a type of scorecard, just like avid fans of other sports do. Keep track of the results in addition to how you bet to jog your memory later. Establish what types of bets produce the highest returns for you and make them the focus of your wagering. Determine what types of races you have the most success with and which you can’t decipher. If you conclude that you seldom pick winners on turf, avoid betting on grass races until you improve your handicapping.
Of course, a lot of what’s out there is just a giant scam to get your money. Research the author and preview the book before purchasing. Some people are out to make a dollar however they can.
To find this information, just inquire at your track. You’re likely get put on an email list for their newsletter that will be full of the necessary information.
Make sure the winnings (and the losses) get split evenly. Have everyone agree to a basic set of guidelines before participating in any betting. Some people may argue that they won while others lost – establish protocol before this happens.
Again, any type of gambling can be dangerous. Try to set yourself a limit – if you hit that point, you’ll walk away. It’s to easy to get into trouble in situations like this; always be looking out for yourself. Remain dispassionate when betting. Increasing the size and scope of your wagers to try to recoup losses often only results in more losses. Even the best horse players sometimes lose; they accept it as part of the game. What winning horse players don’t do is wager recklessly when their emotions get in the way.
