How do you win at horse racing? We're going this weekend.?

Question

How do you win at horse racing? We're going this weekend.?

Answer 1

I think a key statistic to look at is the amount the horse has claimed in prior races. Also the history of the horse at the current track and over it's life. The track is the smart man's casino. Good Luck!

Answer 2

Well, Andrea H, if I knew five sure winners I could retire.  Since I'm still working, and I've been playing the horses since I was 14 (I'm 50 now), take my free advice to be worth what you're paying for it.

When I handicap a race, I first try to eliminate as many "obvious" losers from the field as I can.  Horses that have been competing at the level they're running at without coming close, horses coming back after a lay-off (unless they're from a stable that hits with a high percentage of horses coming off a lay-off), horses that just for one reason or another don't strike me on paper as having a very good chance.

I then look at what's left over in the field and decide if the race is playable.  Not every race is playable.  Some are just too hard to figure, because the number of contender horses is too large, or the horses that are contenders are too close to figure out, or the contender horses left are at such a short price that it isn't worth the risk.

On the positive side, I look at the trainers and put a fair amount of weight on that as a factor;  some trainers have a high in-the-money percentage, and that means a lot to me.  I look at the horse's recent past performances and workouts, and when the horses come into the paddock, I like to watch them and see how they look.  I also watch them go to the post, to see how they warm up.  I don't like to bet on horses that are really breaking out in a sweat, especially if they have a lot of "kidney sweat" between their hind legs.  I look at the horse's attitude-- I don't like to see a lot tail-wringing, which generally indicates resistance;  and I also don't like to see a dull or dispirited attitude.

Mostly, though, I just love to look at the horses.  I think that's the ultimate "win" at the races-- watching the horses.  Looking at the maidens in maiden races, and wondering if maybe I'm watching a future star or stars at the beginning of their careers;  seeing horses that have a pedigree I know about, and seeing if they resemble one of their parents; and just enjoying the pageantry and the contest.

Have fun at the races, and good luck to you!

Answer 3

It's called *gambling* for a reason; there's no sure way.....

Answer 4

send another question with the name of the track that you are going to, and i will reply with my 4 top picks in each race, along with my 3 best bets of the day.

Answer 5

Own the track.

Answer 6

The short answer is you have to pick more winners than the other betters at a fair price. Unlike casino gambling, you are not playing against the the house. You are playing against the other bettors, with the winners spliting the money bet by the losers. The track just holds the money and takes out thier percentage of the pool no matter who wins.

There are as many handicapping methods as there are horseplayers but my strategy is to use speed figures (the most accurate measures of a horse's performance) and adjust them for ground loss. I also consider other factors that can affect these figures, such as pace, trip, distance, surface, etc, which are important though not as quantifiable.

I also consider current form, which means whether or not the horse is fit enough to run his/her best race.

Handicapping is a skill which can take years to perfect so you have to do your homework and read some books on handicapping theory. I recommend the works of Beyer or Carroll.

Also important to consider is that a horse in motion is subject to the laws of physics, so a little science review will give you a big edge. I use the formula for kinetic energy in my pace analysis. Horses are biological organisms so a little knowledge of sports physiology won't hurt either. Finally since all forms of gambling are subject to the laws of probabilty, statistics are a must.

If this all seems like a lot to know, it should - handicapping is one of the supreme intellectual challenges and the more you know, the better you'll do. Of course, a little luck won't hurt but don't bet on luck.

Racing is not a "get rich quick" game but you can have a lot of fun as you develop your skills - just don't bet more than you can afford to lose until you've had some experience and show a profit on "paper bets".

Answer 7

Pack a fantastic picnic lunch, some beer (or your choice of fun drink), your camera, sunscreen and only enough money that you can afford to spend on a day's entertainment.  Walk the grounds of the track, visit the paddock and see the horse's upclose, watch a race from the finish line and one from the highest level of the grandstand.  Look for a race that starts in front of the stands and get as close as possible.  Bet the horses you like in the combinations you are comfortable with and cheer them home as hard as you can.  People spend a lifetime trying to unlock the secrets of the track, and there are more methods, strategies and systems than you can imagine.  But anyone who goes, has fun and enjoys the experience wins.

Answer 8

If I knew how to always pick a winner, I'd be at the track myself. lol

Answer 9

To be honest, you have just as much chance at coming out ahead over a single racing day as any so-called "expert".

There tends to be quite a bit of randomness in racing.

I play the horses all the time, but on any given day (usually Kentucky Derby day or something like that) I'll often see someone who clearly hardly ever bets the horses win money on some improbable longshot.

I was watching a race from Hollywood Park a few weeks ago and Teri Hatcher (from Desperate Housewives) was there with a little girl about 8 years old (her niece I think) and the girl gave out the (very improbable) exacta with two longshot horses and it payed several hundred dollars.

So, suffice to say, don't be too much influenced by favorites and especially, don't be too much influenced by other people's opinions.  

Karin C's advice is really good about simply finding a horse who looks well in the post parade.

Answer 10

There are about as many "angles" as there are handicappers.  The four most important are speed, form, pace, and class.  all others are not "unimportant", they are just not "as important" and will very in importance from race to race.  Master even one of these four, and you should be well ahead of the betting public.  Of course just because you can isolate the contenders in a field vs the "dogs", that doesn't always mean you'll win.  (That's where the gambling part comes into play).  However, if you focus on playing the contenders based on those four factors, and you don't spend beyond what you can afford to spend, then you should be OK.  Also remember, that just like any other "get rich" scheme, it takes money to make money.  If you're a $2 better, don't expect a substantial loss or profit margin at the end of the day.  Of course the most important rule of thumb....."HAVE FUN".