What behavior in thoroughbreds should I be looking for in the paddock before I place a wager?

Question

What behavior in thoroughbreds should I be looking for in the paddock before I place a wager?

Answer 1

It varies from horse to horse.  Some horses always get sweaty beforehand, others look very calm.  You need to get to know what is normal for individual horses.

I am not suggesting you need to learn the particulars of EVERY horse you ever see, but make notes in your racecard that you can refer to in case you see the same horses again.

It also depends on the distance of the race.  For a sprint race you want something that looks alert and ready to go, if it is on its toes it is not as much of a worry as if it were a longer race.

The basics you should look for in every horse are:

A healthy looking coat - if a horse is at it's best his coat will be shining.

A good walker - it sounds silly but if a horse walks well he will gallop well.

a good attitude - if the horse is too wound up he may use up too much energy before the race.  Equally you don't want something that looks like it is falling asleep!

The Racing Post ran an excellent series a few months ago on what to look for in the paddock.  If you go to this link (you may need to register to see it, but it is free of charge) http://www.racingpost.co.uk/news/cutting... and then type "paddock watching" in the search box it will bring up the articles.  There are three parts to the series called "Walking The Walk", "Its A Game of Patience" and "Putting It To The Test".

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

I've found the best way to evaluate the horse is to watch him canter down to the start to see how he looks and moves then rather then when he is just walking round and distracted by noises etc.  I've seem stunning horses in the paddock that then can't move for toffee and vice-versa.  If you leave it to the last minute to bet, as well as having seen the horses move you can also see last minute market movers with the bookies.  Uncle is a bookmaker and that's the best tip he has ever given me!!

Answer 3

there are no rules, I've seen horses sleeping in the paddock, and run like the wind, with dull coats and run like ...., And buy the way dapples don't just mean fitness or what ever the first answerer said, they mean many things, but they are a positive sign, but it doesn't mean that they are fit, I've had horses come off the farm with dapples all over them and they couldn't gallop a mile no less run a race. I've seen horses that were off, walking wide, means they have a chip in their knee or knees, or off in many ways(the walking wide is just an ex.) and RUN like the wind.

I don't like horses that wash out(sweat til they are ringing wet)

but I  had a mare that would wash out as soon as  she stepped into the paddock, she won 11 stake races in a row and set a track record in one of them going 9 furlongs or a mile and an eighth. But generally I don't like to see horses wash out and won't bet on them unless I know the horse and know that it is still a runner even after washing out.

But like I said there are no rules, because many variables effect the outcome of a horse race and I don't even think a crystal ball would help ya. I've watched some of the best horse gamblers in the U.S. come and go and come and go. And here is one example for you, This person was a 5 time leading horse trainer in the U.S.,top money won and most races won. Whenever he was betting on his own horses, he was tough to beat, but when he would bet on other trainers horses as another gambler would, he was only a little better than any other decent well read(racing form) horse pickin(in the paddock and post parade) horse player. And this guy Knew what he was looking at when he looked at a horse.

So with that said, I've got these words for you: When the horse winks at you, and the jock gives you the secret sign and the touts are touting, go with your gut, don't bet the farm ever, bet with money that you don't mind throwing away, don't bet your eating money and don't eat your betting money and most of all hope that lady luck be with you......and your horse....

EDIT 1 day later.....TO the bookmakers nephew Alison60, Now that is GREAT advice. One that I always adhered to, Although I rarely bet other trainers horses, whenever I was betting, I always waited til late watching the post parade and the tote board with equal enthusiasm.

Answer 4

the calmest horse in the paddock, and also

horses that have their mane braided are getting

ready to take their pictures( also when they are well bet}

newcastle....2/12

1610.....1

Answer 5

Hmm.. this is tough,... because each horse is so different in its prep before a race... but generally a horse that is alert... ears forward and head high... that is moving quickly... but not dragging his strapper... also a horse that works off well after being let go is a good sign... a horse that looks nervous and sweaty can some times be a good sign... but it can also mean the horse is stressed and may not perform... its just so hard.... if you loal track allows if you super keen to know see if you can go down and watch track work... then you will know whats on form... good luck with your bets

Answer 6

LOOK FOR AN ALERT HORSE,CALM NOT ALL SWEATY,HEAD UP EARS POINTED & MOVING TO A SOUND,SHINE & DAPPLES ON HIS COAT,(DAPPLES ARE CIRCLES ON THE SKIN THAT DESIGNATE FITNESS,YOU ARE ALREADY SMARTER THAN THE AVERAGE,MOST PEOPLE WOULDN'T EVEN KNOW WHERE THE PADDOCK  IS.