Perhaps you’ve been to the track before or have dabbled in on-line wagering without ever taking it seriously or maximizing the enjoyment.
Sure, you can play the races by betting on your favourite horse names, numbers or colors and get lucky, but what most people don’t understand is there is a method to the madness, and figuring out the results of a race based on the information provided, and processed, is fun and rewarding.
The premise of a race is simple — the first horse to the finish line wins, but if you make a wager, predicting the outcome ahead of time is what gets you paid.
Horse racing is a fascinating game. At first glance, the information in the past performances of a race can be quite intimidating, but one you get a feel for how it works, and appreciate the majesty of the animals, horse racing can quickly develop into a hobby, or even a passion. With knowledge comes interest and with understanding comes intrigue.
Basic Bet Types
Win Bet
A Win bet is placed on a horse or dog to finish the race in first position.
A Win bet is placed on a horse or dog to finish the race in first position.
Place Bet
A Place Bet is placed on a horse or dog to finish the race in:
first, second or third position, if there are 8 runners or more in the race; if there are less than 7 runners a place bet will be on first and second place; if there are fewer than 5 runners there will be no place bet offered.
A Place Bet is placed on a horse or dog to finish the race in:
first, second or third position, if there are 8 runners or more in the race; if there are less than 7 runners a place bet will be on first and second place; if there are fewer than 5 runners there will be no place bet offered.
Each Way Bet
An Each Way Bet is a combined Win and Place bet. Half of the stake will be placed on the win and half of the stake will be placed on the Place.
For example, a $1 Each Way bet will be $1 on the Win and $1 on the Place for a total stake of $2.
An Each Way Bet is a combined Win and Place bet. Half of the stake will be placed on the win and half of the stake will be placed on the Place.
For example, a $1 Each Way bet will be $1 on the Win and $1 on the Place for a total stake of $2.
Exotics Bet Types
Exacta
An Exacta consists of picking two runners to place first and second in the correct order.
An Exacta consists of picking two runners to place first and second in the correct order.
Quinella
A Quinella consists of nominating two (or more) runners to place first and second in any order.
A Quinella consists of nominating two (or more) runners to place first and second in any order.
Trifecta
A Trifecta consists of selecting three runners to place first, second and third in the correct order. You can select as many runners as you want and make it a boxed Trifecta, or also pick a standout for any of the 3 positions.
A Trifecta consists of selecting three runners to place first, second and third in the correct order. You can select as many runners as you want and make it a boxed Trifecta, or also pick a standout for any of the 3 positions.
First 4
A First 4 consists of selecting three runners to place first, second, third and then a fourth in the correct order.
A First 4 consists of selecting three runners to place first, second, third and then a fourth in the correct order.
Quaddie
Pick the winner of the four consecutive races to pocket a massive dividend.
Pick the winner of the four consecutive races to pocket a massive dividend.
Super 6
Pick the winner of the six consecutive races and score a BIG dividend
Pick the winner of the six consecutive races and score a BIG dividend
Fundamental Information to get you started
Learn to read the program
The information may look like a foreign language on the surface, but as an experienced fan educator, it takes me between roughly 15 minutes to teach someone the past performances. Once you understand what the information means you can begin to piece together the puzzle and formulate an opinion. A guide can be found at the front of the program, but having a mentor who can teach you can accelerate the learning process.
The information may look like a foreign language on the surface, but as an experienced fan educator, it takes me between roughly 15 minutes to teach someone the past performances. Once you understand what the information means you can begin to piece together the puzzle and formulate an opinion. A guide can be found at the front of the program, but having a mentor who can teach you can accelerate the learning process.
Connections
One of the simplest ways to evaluate the chances of a horse is to identify the human connections. Top jockeys and trainers win roughly 15-20% of the races. Betting horses who represent the best stables and/or are ridden by the winningest jockeys will likely help you cash more tickets, but because they are higher profile, bettors often gravitate to them, often decreasing the potential payouts.
One of the simplest ways to evaluate the chances of a horse is to identify the human connections. Top jockeys and trainers win roughly 15-20% of the races. Betting horses who represent the best stables and/or are ridden by the winningest jockeys will likely help you cash more tickets, but because they are higher profile, bettors often gravitate to them, often decreasing the potential payouts.
Speed figures
In the past performances, the bold number is the speed figure. It tells you how fast the horse ran on that particular day, the higher the number the better. When evaluating horses, look at their speed figures at today’s surface over a comparable distance in order to get a feel for their ability and how they fit in with the rest of the field.
In the past performances, the bold number is the speed figure. It tells you how fast the horse ran on that particular day, the higher the number the better. When evaluating horses, look at their speed figures at today’s surface over a comparable distance in order to get a feel for their ability and how they fit in with the rest of the field.
Class
Imagine if the fastest horses were allowed to race against the slowest ones. That would be no fun. In order to keep horse racing competitive and thus bettable, there are a variety of “class” levels. Understanding how a horse “fits” in a particular race goes a long way towards determining their chances to be competitive. The class levels range from Grade I stakes on the highest end to $5,000 claiming races (or lower at some smaller tracks) on the lowest. In a claiming race, horses are actually “for sale” for the designated price. If more than one owner puts in a claim for a horse, there is a random “shake” to determine the final buyer.
Imagine if the fastest horses were allowed to race against the slowest ones. That would be no fun. In order to keep horse racing competitive and thus bettable, there are a variety of “class” levels. Understanding how a horse “fits” in a particular race goes a long way towards determining their chances to be competitive. The class levels range from Grade I stakes on the highest end to $5,000 claiming races (or lower at some smaller tracks) on the lowest. In a claiming race, horses are actually “for sale” for the designated price. If more than one owner puts in a claim for a horse, there is a random “shake” to determine the final buyer.
Distance and Surface
Sprinters like to race over short distances. Routers prefer races around two turns where stamina is critical. Some horses prefer racing on dirt, others on turf. Based on their past performances, ask yourself the question - is the horse I’m evaluating entered in a race over a surface and at a distance at which they have enjoyed success in the past?
Sprinters like to race over short distances. Routers prefer races around two turns where stamina is critical. Some horses prefer racing on dirt, others on turf. Based on their past performances, ask yourself the question - is the horse I’m evaluating entered in a race over a surface and at a distance at which they have enjoyed success in the past?
Current Form
When a Thoroughbred is happy and healthy, they tend to race about once a month. Has the horse you’re evaluating been racing recently and if so, how have they performing? Horses who are running well (finishing in the top three) are said to be in good “form”. Those who are off their game are in poor form. Often times a rest, a “drop” in class, a change in distance, surface or equipment can shake a horse out of a slump.
When a Thoroughbred is happy and healthy, they tend to race about once a month. Has the horse you’re evaluating been racing recently and if so, how have they performing? Horses who are running well (finishing in the top three) are said to be in good “form”. Those who are off their game are in poor form. Often times a rest, a “drop” in class, a change in distance, surface or equipment can shake a horse out of a slump.
Blinkers
Horses using blinkers for the first time often show marked improvement. Blinkers are plastic cups that attach to a horse’s hood to help prevent them from looking around and becoming distracted. Blinkers can help a horse focus on the task at hand. Taking the blinkers off a horse can also provide a spark.
Horses using blinkers for the first time often show marked improvement. Blinkers are plastic cups that attach to a horse’s hood to help prevent them from looking around and becoming distracted. Blinkers can help a horse focus on the task at hand. Taking the blinkers off a horse can also provide a spark.
Pedigree
A horse’s bloodlines (family history) can tell you what they were born to do, but based on pedigree and sales price, some horses disappoint while others overachieve. Horses that cost $50,000 at a sale finish in front of million-dollar purchases more often than you’d think. Pedigree is often most valuable when researching first time starters, lightly raced horses, and horses trying something a task for the first time – a distance or surface switch, for example.
A horse’s bloodlines (family history) can tell you what they were born to do, but based on pedigree and sales price, some horses disappoint while others overachieve. Horses that cost $50,000 at a sale finish in front of million-dollar purchases more often than you’d think. Pedigree is often most valuable when researching first time starters, lightly raced horses, and horses trying something a task for the first time – a distance or surface switch, for example.
Physicality
Horses are animals, not machines. Signs of happiness include a shiny coat, good muscle tone and an alert, yet controlled, demeanor. Horses who woke up on the wrong side of the hay might be in a bad mood and not on top of their game mentally. If a horse is sweaty and/or rambunctious, they’re wasting energy and are unlikely to perform well. There are some successful horseplayers who rely almost exclusively on visual clues.
Horses are animals, not machines. Signs of happiness include a shiny coat, good muscle tone and an alert, yet controlled, demeanor. Horses who woke up on the wrong side of the hay might be in a bad mood and not on top of their game mentally. If a horse is sweaty and/or rambunctious, they’re wasting energy and are unlikely to perform well. There are some successful horseplayers who rely almost exclusively on visual clues.
Visualize
A phrase you will often here from handicappers is “pace makes the race”. Pace is the tempo. If the pace is fast and contested early on, the leaders are likely to tire, giving a late closing horse a better chance to win. If the early pace is moderate, the front-runners are likely to have more energy at the end, and thus may prove tougher to catch. Identify the racing styles of each individual horse in the race and visualize how it might play out.
A phrase you will often here from handicappers is “pace makes the race”. Pace is the tempo. If the pace is fast and contested early on, the leaders are likely to tire, giving a late closing horse a better chance to win. If the early pace is moderate, the front-runners are likely to have more energy at the end, and thus may prove tougher to catch. Identify the racing styles of each individual horse in the race and visualize how it might play out.
Arm yourself with OPPS (other people’s picks)
Most tracks and horse racing websites offer “expert” selections. If you’re new to the game, take a copy with you and follow along. Tune in to the to the on-track television analyst. This person follows racing at the track you are watching day in and day out, and they verbalize useful information. In addition, listening to what they have to say about the horses, and following along in your track program, can help accelerate the learning process. It’s more fun to have your own opinion, but when you’re first getting started, don’t be afraid to use the picks of others as a guideline and perhaps combine them with your own before making a wager.
Most tracks and horse racing websites offer “expert” selections. If you’re new to the game, take a copy with you and follow along. Tune in to the to the on-track television analyst. This person follows racing at the track you are watching day in and day out, and they verbalize useful information. In addition, listening to what they have to say about the horses, and following along in your track program, can help accelerate the learning process. It’s more fun to have your own opinion, but when you’re first getting started, don’t be afraid to use the picks of others as a guideline and perhaps combine them with your own before making a wager.
Become a Fan
Locally and nationally, horse racing is a year-round sport. The more you learn, the more immersed you’ll become. Like any other major league sport, racing has stars fans can identify with – the jockeys, trainers, owners and most importantly, the horses.
Locally and nationally, horse racing is a year-round sport. The more you learn, the more immersed you’ll become. Like any other major league sport, racing has stars fans can identify with – the jockeys, trainers, owners and most importantly, the horses.