Be First In Horse Racing

Horse racing is widely popular all over the world, and it is the most bet on game, large wagers change hands every day on the sport. The horses that race are all what we call throuhgbreds, that means they are born for this sport all out of good stock. The sport itself derives when two or more of these horses ridden by jockeys "professional and amature" compete against each other on who is going to be first past the winning post.

Those that are watching this race then put a bet or wager on who will be first past the post, they will bet also on who will come in second or third.

What you will usually hear in this betting game is the term horse racing odds. If you follow racing, these terms are easy to understand but if you are a newcomer to the sport it can be a bit difficult to pick up.

Horse racing odds refers to the probability of which horse will come first in that race is shown on a tote board. The tote board shows the odds that are based on the amount of money you will win in relation to the wager that you put on.

How these odds are worked out is determined by deducting the amount of bet and its percentage in the total amount of money that was bet on the horses less a portion of the tracks fee which is estimated to be between 10-20 percent of the sum total.

Now if you find it difficult in reading a tote board, you can follow this simple procedure in computing the odds on a horse. To have an accurate calculation, you need to draw on some of the other figures in the tote board. This refers to the overall amount of the win pool and the sum of money bet on that horse. You must understand that the total pool is the money bet on all the horses in the overall. It does not pertain to the amount that will be paid up to the ones holding the winning tickets. The take that is from the winning ticket holder is deducted between 14-20 percent. This may vary depending on the state where you are in. All the money that is derived from the "take" goes to the local taxes, the horsemen, track expenses and the horse racing earnings. The payoffs employ the actual figures which are usually reduced to the nearest dime. This may vary depending on the rules that are shown at the race track.

If you are still having problems understanding what the odds for horse racing are all about you can go online which is full of resources giving you the correct information that you desire.

Choose the online resource that will best meet your requirements. Consider some of the most important elements you need to know such as the basics of horse race betting - how the whole wagering games goes and how you will pick the winning horse in the race track.

As a gambler myself I've tried a few horse racing systems. On my site first for horse racing I have given you the best that I have come across. Enjoy.
http://www.horseracingfirst.co.uk/

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The Best Way to Bet on Horse Races

It wasn't long ago that many horse players agreed that the best bet in horse racing was the straight bet to win. Now, as the scramble to attract more players to the race track heats up, that isn't necessarily the case. The problem of making a profit wagering on the ponies is twofold and that is where the complications begin.

It isn't enough to just successfully evaluate each runner's chances to win by handicapping the race. You must also find a value bet if you're going to make a profit for your hard work and risk. While finding value starts with being able to accurately access a horse's chances of winning, that information must then be converted into a morning line.

The process of computing accurate fair value on just one horse is difficult enough, so it has often been thought that trying to play exotic bets with multiple runners or even multiple races, is just too difficult and fraught with risk. That is starting to change, however, as race tracks try to offer better value to their patrons.

With the advent of the fifty cent trifecta, pick three, pick four, and even pick five, things are starting to change. It isn't just the amount of the minimum bet amount but also the fact that tracks are lowering the takeout on these exotic wagers, sometimes taking nothing at all out of the pot.

Any savvy horse player will tell you that the number one reason most players can't beat the races is because of the takeout or "vig," as it is sometimes called (short for vigorish). Back in the golden days of horse racing legal bookies competed for business and would lower their takeout to the very lowest figure they could and it was possible for a shrewd handicapper to make a profit. With the advent of pari-mutuel wagering and the outlawing of bookmaking, that changed.

Race tracks had a monopoly on legal betting and since the gambling opportunities for most people were so limited, the tracks had it their way and horse racing suffered. In my opinion, the number one reason that horse racing has been in decline is that you just can't beat the vig. Now that race tracks are lowering that figure on certain bets, however, it is possible to make a profit and the wise horse player who shops around may find that multiple race wagers are the sweetest deal in town.

The best bet in horse racing is the one that allows you to make a profit. The best way to make a profit is to find a bet that doesn't cost more than the actual price of the bet. No hidden fees and no takeout are the ways you can finally start making a profit betting on the races.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Horse Racing Handicapping - West Coast Speed and Handicapping

When handicapping horse races, a lot of credit is given to cheap speed when some people discuss West Coast racing, but is the "cheap" label deserved? In the past, before the introduction of all weather tracks, it was true that a lot of races were won at Hollywood and Santa Anita race tracks by horses running on the front end. But just because some California horses failed to win when shipped East, it doesn't mean that speed wasn't classy.

What really happens to horses shipping to the East Coast is that they need time to acclimate to the weather and track conditions as well as the running styles of the horses and jockeys who compete at the major venues in New York and New Jersey. When people fly 3,000 miles it takes them a while to acclimate to the difference in time and the same is true for animals.

Their internal clocks need to be reset and they also have to adjust to deeper tracks that require a different running style. Admittedly, some East Coast tracks do favor front runners at certain distances and on particular surfaces, but they are still running on deeper tracks.

Now that all weather poly tracks have been introduced the problem for horse racing handicappers is which running style will work best on the new man made surfaces. You can buy a list of sires that seem to pass on a gene that enables their progeny to run well on the synthetic surfaces and that will help you to pick some winners. You must also realize that shipping across the continent to compete against the best horses on the East Coast is a lot to ask of any athlete.

It is interesting to note that major league football teams that ship from the West to the East also experience problems. There is definitely a time component that works against them biologically. Football teams, because of their tight schedules, do not have the luxury of shipping in weeks earlier and gradually getting accustomed to the change in time zones.

Smart trainers, on the other hand, ship their horses East weeks ahead of a big race in order to work them over the track and to let them gradually get accustomed to the difference in time. Now obviously, horses can't tell time, but their bodily rhythms, like the rhythms of all living creatures, are determined by the sun and other natural forces. An abrupt change of venue means their internal clocks have to be reset and that takes time.

Therefore, when it comes to handicapping horse races with West Coast shippers, always check to see how long ago a horse shipped in. If you can't find out, be cautious when picking winners and err on the side of caution. You must get a good price on a West Coast horse in order to back it. It isn't because they are of inferior quality, but rather because they have had to deal with a big recent change that will affect most of them physically.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Speed Rating Patterns in Horse Racing Handicapping

One of the most obvious indicators of a horse's true form is the speed rating it earns in a race, or so it seems at first glance. On closer examination, however, it becomes obvious that those figures must be taken in context and compared to other factors. The form cycle, though often overlooked, is still a good predictor of how a horse will run and when it will win. Modern training methods often overlook the natural physical cycles that horses undergo.

Some trainers try to win the first race a horse runs after an extended layoff. Their reasoning is that the animal is fresh and therefore will have more stamina than the other runners in the race who may be suffering from the stress of multiple efforts. This "win first race back," method works for some trainers, but perhaps in the long run, since the runner suffers so much stress without enough training for stamina and bottom, as it is called, has a bad effect in the long run and that is why so many thoroughbred horses have very short careers.

Years ago it was easier to chart a runner's form cycle by looking at three things. First of all, there was the speed rating itself. Secondly, you checked the pace of the race and how much effort the runner exerted. For instance, if a horse who wasn't known as a front runner was pushed to run on the front end in a race and wound up fading at the end and registering a poor speed figure, wise handicappers often knew that the trainer was building the horse up and would let it run its own style of race in one of its next two races. Finally, you checked the to see how soon it ran again.

The hard race on the front end would build a little tactical speed in and when allowed to run its own race next time out or second time out, the horse would score a much higher speed figure. Based on the pace of the and how quickly the conditioner brought his or her back, you'd have a good idea of whether he or she meant to win or to give the horse another race for conditioning.

One common patterns, that you will sometimes still find today, is for a horse to have a race or two to get back into shape, then a fast race where it is used hard for extra conditioning. The next race may be within ten days or so and will often just be a breezer to keep the horse sharp and stretch those muscles a bit more for tone. Finally, after that race, the horse will be sent for the win. In some cases you will even find the horse moved up in class for this race and a fine price can be had at the mutuel windows.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Classic Horse Races in the United Kingdom

Horse racing was once a part of the Olympic Games in ancient Greece. The Romans also embraced the sport. Even in ancient times, people were drawn to the sport of racing.

Racing spread throughout Europe. Arabian stallions imported from the Middle East were bred with horses from Europe to create very fast racehorses.

Horse racing was primarily a sport for royalty and noble families throughout Europe, though commoners were involved as spectators of the sport.

It is known that Charles II and Queen Anne were so passionate about horse racing, they put on both public and private horse racing events.

Racing venues were developed throughout Europe and in the 16th century, the classic races were started.

In England in the mid-1700s, racing began developing under a racing governing body, the Jockey Club of England. The club was formed from racing's most elite members and was responsible for instituting rules and regulations to govern horse racing including governing racing venues, specific races and breed standards for race horses.

The founding sires of the Thoroughbred breed of horses known in racing today was first distinguished by the Jockey Club's James Weatherby.

The United Kingdom is home to several classic races that we still enjoy watching today.

Some of the classics created in the late-1700s and early-1800s include the St. Leger, the Oaks, the Derby, the 2000 Guineas and the 1000 Guineas.

St. Leger

The St. Leger was founded in 1776 by the Irish Lieutenant Colonel Anthony St. Leger. This is a distance race at 1 mile and 6 furlongs long.

The St. Leger is the final Classic race run in England each year and is the final leg in the English Triple Crown after the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby.

The Derby

The Epsom Derby, referred to simply as The Derby, is run over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs. It is the richest race in England as well as being the middle leg of the English Triple Crown. was first run on May 4, 1780.

2,000 Guineas

In 1809, the first 2,000 Guineas race was run. It is now the first leg of the English Triple Crown and is run over a distance of 1 mile.

1,000 Guineas

First run in 1814, this race is only open to fillies. It is the first leg of the Triple Crown for fillies and is followed by the Oaks and the St. Leger. The 1,000 Guineas is run over a distance of 1 mile.

The Oaks

First run in 1779, The Oaks is run over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards. Like the 1,000 Guineas, it is restricted to fillies.

World Horse Racing Betting offers resources for horse racing enthusiasts including horse racing information, a directory of race tracks world-wide and reviews of betting software. Visit http://blog.worldhorseracingbetting.com/ for more information.

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Three Simple Horse Racing Truths and Angles

I don't mean to trivialize the difficulty of horse racing handicapping, but even though finding good horse racing bets may be difficult, there are a few angles that will help you to minimize losses and maximize profits, the goal of any good system. Since the business of picking winners can be so hard at times and we try to use every scrap of information to our advantage, we sometimes get overwhelmed in data and lose track of some very basic truths.

1. First of all, when you start to evaluate runners in a race, perhaps you should run through a little checklist the way pilots go through a checklist before they take off. At the top of that list, here is something you might want to check and double check. Is this a playable race? Not every race is worth wagering on and that is truth number one. There are some races, for whatever reason, that you should sit out.

Some handicappers call them chaos races. The problem is usually that there is no horse in the race that has ever accomplished what is being asked of it. Obviously, maiden races are chaos races, but they may still be playable if you can find a runner that has posted a par time equal to the average winning time or speed figure for maidens of that class. You'll want to avoid most chaos races unless you have a very good reason to bet one.

2. The second truth is that good money management will get you through times of bad handicapping but good handicapping won't get you through a run of poor money management. The one skill that every handicapper has to learn in order to make a profit betting on horses is how to manage a bank roll so that when you win you win big and when you lose losses are minimized. This has a lot to do with betting units and streaks. When you're on a losing streak your betting amounts should automatically adjust to minimize losses.

3. The third angle or truth is about those streaks we just mentioned. Don't chase your losses. If you've lost a packet and you're having a bad day, don't try increasing your bets in order to win back what you've lost. I anything reduce your wager amounts or quit and go home. The business of wagering on horse races is usually streaky and if you're on the skids, find another way to amuse yourself until it passes.

While it will take a lot more than three simple truths to beat the races, you will find that if you don't follow the advice above, you won't make a profit betting on horses.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Don't Misjudge a Horse When It Is Bumped Coming Out of the Gate

One of the toughest breaks or beats to take in horse racing is when your horse is bumped hard as it leaves the gate at the beginning of the race. When that happens, the horse often loses, despite showing so much form and promise. You may think that the runner has no heart and just one bump should not make it give up, but that is not always the case.

First of all, many horses do not give up when they are hit early in a race by a competitor. Some continue on and race well. Others do seem to run poorly. Such was the case with Summer Soiree when the promising filly was hit hard at the beginning of the Kentucky Oaks (G1). After posting an impressive 10 3/4 win in the Bourbonette (G3-T) she seemed to give up in the Kentucky Oaks after making contact at the start.

But her trainer, Graham Motion, who understands her well had a different explanation for her seemingly poor performance. He said she is a very aggressive filly and that contact may have upset her. In other words, maybe she got angry and "blew her cool."

What often appears to be a lack of effort by a runner may in fact be a runner that is too excited and who uses up too much energy. If the jockey can't get the mount to settle down after being bumped or brushed, the result may be a poor performance.

The same may be true at the end of a race when a horse is brushed in the stretch. It may be that its concentration is broken and it is momentarily distracted or it may be that the horse becomes agitated. Thoroughbred race horses are very competitive. One example of this is when a horse loses its rider at the beginning of a race. Have you ever seen that happen?

The horse usually doesn't stop running or just turn around and head for the barn. They usually continue to race and race very hard. Sometimes they win the race without the rider and without urging. That's because, despite the arguments of people who say horses wouldn't run if they weren't whipped, horses do love to run and compete against each other. In fact, they are so competitive that they sometimes lose control or, "blow up," in a race and lose all chance of winning.

When humans race against each other, the same thing can happen if one of them loses his or her temper. So if you are handicapping a race and see that a horse was bumped and then ran poorly, don't make the mistake of thinking it has no heart and won't be competitive in its next start.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Comparing Jockey Changes and Workout Times in Horse Racing Handicapping

When handicapping horse races a lot of time is spent in evaluating each of several factors. Unfortunately, many times we fail to see the big picture because we don't put the factors together in order to see a big picture. In other words, we fail to connect the dots.

Workout times can tell quite a story about a horse's conditioning and readiness to win, especially when they are used in conjunction with other data that is available in the past performances or in the racing program. One big change that is usually considered when handicapping horse races is the jockey switch.

When a jockey gets off a mount it is a big deal and many bettors want to know why the rider left the mount. They also compare one rider to the other to determine if it will improve the runner's chances of winning. In the case of an apprentice getting on a horse, the reasoning of the trainer is pretty obvious. The conditioner wanted the horse to have the advantage of carrying less weight than the other runners since apprentices get a weight allowance.

But what is the reason for a good jockey getting on or off a horse? Does it mean the horse is improving? Has the jockey's agent spotted something? Or is the rider simply getting paid to ride the horse and is going to get some air? Looking at the horse in the post parade may help you to determine if it has improved, but there is another way to check on the runner.

Look at the workouts and see what they can tell you. There are several things you should look for. First of all, there are the actual times of the morning works. Have they gotten faster? Do you see an improvement in time that would tell you that the runner is getting faster and in better racing shape? If so and a better jockey is getting on the horse, that may be a very positive sign.

On the other hand, even if the times don't improve, a change in the frequency may mean the runner is being pushed more to get it into shape. It may also mean that the animal is getting fit and ready. Finally, it may be that there was a physical problem that has been overcome, such as lameness and now it is capable of working more often and therefore will be more competitive in its next race.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Good Jockey Bad Horse or Bad Jockey Good Horse?

Which is the better bet, a good jockey on a bad horse or a bad jockey on a good horse? I know a lot of you are saying it doesn't sound like either one is a good bet, but there are times when either one may be a profitable bet. Of course, figuring that out is one of the keys to making money betting on horses. That is a very difficult thing to do consistently, but the only way you will ever find bets that are under valued by the crowd is to bet on a horse or jockey who appear to be a bad choice.

When you think of it, how else will you ever get value? If you only bet on horses that appear capable of winning and jockeys who appear to be better than the other riders, how will you get a good price? The answer is, you won't.

That doesn't mean you should always bet riders with low win percentages or horses that seem overmatched, however. You have to be selective and still have a reason to wager on the horse. Some reasons that might convince you to back a runner that seems over matched will start with the odds. If they are high enough, any horse may be a good bet. It comes down to the simple equation of risk and reward. If the horse could only win the race one out of 100 times it is still a good bet if it is going off at 200-1. See what I mean?

The question is, when it does win that one time out of one hundred, why does it win? This is where your reason to bet comes into play. It may be an equipment change or trainer move or it may be nothing to do with this runner and everything to do with the competition. If you think the other runners each have a chink in their armor, a weakness or cloud over them, then they are vulnerable and can be beaten.

As for betting on a good jockey on a bad horse, good riders find ways to win and bad riders find ways to lose. Admittedly, a good jockey can't carry the horse across the finish line, but he or she may get every ounce of run out of the mount and also keep it out of traffic and trouble. A favorite with a jockey that isn't very skillful and sometimes makes bad choices is vulnerable and that jockey may cost the favorite the race. That's when the longshot with the capable rider becomes a good bet as long as reward outweighs risk.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Bay Meadows: The Most Traditional Horse Race Track in America

Bay Meadows was established in 1934 by William P. Kyne. It may have been the most important development to build the future of San Mateo. Horse race tracks were becoming very popular in the United States. Many people were drawn to them for the excitement. This was due not only to the actual races, but the fact that many famous people were coming to watch the horse races.

It is located in San Mateo, California. Its focus is thoroughbred racing. The size of facility is 90 acres in total. It has two tracks and two racing seasons. One is in the spring and the other in the fall. The spring run is generally 55 days and the fall is 50 days.

This horse track is known as being the most traditional horse race track in America. It is also the record holder for being the longest continually operating racetrack in California.

It is host to many major horse races. These include the El Camino Real Derby, the Bay Meadows Handicap, the Bay Meadows Breeders' Cup Derby and the $125,000 California Sprint Championship.

Specifics about Bay Meadows are that it has a one-mile oval track. It has one ¼ mile and ¾ mile chutes. It also has a 7/8 mile turf course. A company called MEC bought and took over the operations of Bay Meadows. They began leasing the facility in November of 2000.

Bay Meadows is known for having the longest running stakes even in California. This is called the Bay Meadows Handicap. In 1934, this race was inaugurated. It was won by the famous Seabiscuit in 1937 and 1938.

The Bay Meadows Derby was first held in 1954. This was a race specifically for three-year-old horses. The first winner of this race was Determine. Determine later went on to win the Kentucky Derby three weeks later.

During World War II, it remained open. Unlike many other race tracks at the time. During its time remaining open, it earned more than $4 million dollars for War Relief Projects.

There have been many famous and legendary jockeys to have raced at this legendary horse track. These include Bill Shoemaker, John Longden, Ralph Neves and Russell Baze. Although there are many racetracks in the nation, Bay Meadows is definitely one of the most significant and one of the racetracks that horse race fans put on their list of tracks to visit during their lifetime.

Over the years, Dave Schwartz has written many different artificial intelligence approaches to handicapping. Schwartz software programs help handicappers of all levels to get an edge in horse handicapping. For horse handicapping tips and more information on the products that Schwartz has developed, visit: The Horse Handicapping Authority Website.

If you would like to interact with Dave and to learn more about the world of horse race handicapping you can visit: Dave Schwartz Horse Handicapping Blog.

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Most Likely Mistakes Made By Beginning Horse Race Handicappers

One of the biggest mistakes people make is having no understanding of the logical order of things. By "things", I mean that they must have a logical process for everything, especially in horse race handicapping.

Consider someone who is going to take up golf. One can certainly go buy a set of clubs, get a few buckets of balls, find a driving range and start hitting balls. Over time, they will learn to hit the ball farther and straighter. However, is this the best way?

Imagine how much faster they would develop as a player if they had some real guidance, not just in technique - that certainly has value - but also in the process of development.

Example for golf:

"First, work on proper grip and stance. Then move on to understanding how the club-face impacts the ball."

(Not being a golfer, I have no idea what this process might entail for golf, but I most certainly know what it is for a horse player.)

The typical horse player subscribes to the idea, "If I just keep hitting golf balls somehow I will become Tiger Woods." (Jokes, aside, he is still the best example I can think of.) This is not the likely outcome of "just hitting golf balls."

Not only does one need a developmental plan but they also need a plan for technique. I would not be so quick to dismiss books as learning aides. After all, without the teaching materials of others, you have zero sources for learning anything. For that matter, even a golfer who learns from a book is far ahead of the golfer who learns through just his own trial and error.

Rather, if one is going in on their own, they need to begin with the classic books - Quirin and Brohamer are tops on that very short list in my opinion. The reason these two books are so good is that they are the two major paths to horse racing enlightenment.

From those two you choose a path: basic statistical handicapping or pace handicapping. Now you can narrow your focus to one path, learning all that you can.

It is easy for the highly experienced handicapper to say things like "ignore the books" because they have already read those books; they have absorbed that knowledge. That is what you need to do: absorb knowledge.

I think what the more learned handicappers really mean is to say is that, every horse player will find that the systems and methods in the books will not be enough; that there will be something missing.

Ultimately, players must determine for themselves what is missing and figure out how to get it.

Over the years, Dave Schwartz has written many different artificial intelligence approaches to handicapping. Schwartz software programs help handicappers of all levels to get an edge in horse handicapping. For horse handicapping tips and more information on the products that Schwartz has developed, visit: The Horse Handicapping Authority Website.

If you would like to interact with Dave and to learn more about the world of horse race handicapping you can visit: Dave Schwartz Horse Handicapping Blog.

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UK Horse Racing Past and Present

The sport of horse racing dates back to the very dawn of modern history, but quite apart from the thrill of seeing one's own mount reach the winning post ahead of the opposition the universal appeal of the sport lies in its vast associated gambling industry.

Each year over a hundred billion dollars is invested around the world by gamblers hopeful of outwitting the sportsbooks and enhancing their own personal fortunes. Long before online bookmakers brought us the opportunity to wager on tennis, rugby union and the likely winner of this year's Britain's Got Talent kings and queens, aristocrats and common folk alike would take a punt on the outcome of one of the many horse racing events that take place each and every day the length and breadth of the UK and indeed all around the world.

The origins of competitive horse racing trace back to the nomadic tribesmen of Central Asia, who first started to domesticate horses in around 4500 B.C. Both mounted and chariot racing were recognised as Olympic sports by the year 638 B.C., and horse racing was of course a popular sport amongst the Romans at the height of the Empire.

In the UK there are records of horse racing events being held in public on special occasions as early as the 12th century, but the sport in its modern form developed during the 17th century and in the 18th century became the first regulated sport in Britain due to the creation of the Jockey Club.

Modern racing essentially takes two forms, flat racing and the steeplechase (jumps). Both types of race are conducted over various distances and horses are usually bred and trained for a particular type of race over a particular distance. For instance the Arabian, Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa are reared with flat racing especially in mind. Some horses perform at their best over short distances such as six or seven furlongs whilst others excel over longer distances.

Success in racing rarely comes over a sustained period to those whose wagers are inspired merely by guesswork or by inexpert consideration such as a memorable name or a lucky number. Whilst pure luck does on occasions play its part those who really are serious about profiting from horse racing will either have the knowledge themselves or, more often, will acquire it from someone who does in the form of horse racing tips based to some extent at least upon an intimate understanding of the industry.

Horse racing tipping services exist to satisfy this demand, and some of course are better than others. It is always worth taking the time out to research the background of those offering advice before jumping in.

Mark Richards is a professional writer working for The Middle Man, a business promotion service using its experience and expert knowledge of marketing strategy to generate important new business for its clients at a surprisingly low cost.

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When It Comes to Horse Racing Handicapping, Be Unique, Just Like Everybody Else

The human ego being what it is, most of us like to think of ourselves as unique. The ones who really want to be thought of as unique, special, one of a kind, in other words, the rugged individual types, are often the long shot bettors at the track. Nothing says, "I'm taking the road less traveled," more than betting on a three legged horse with house maids knee. It is for this reason that those who like to assert their independence often lose their shirts.

Long shots are where the money is in horse racing, but just blindly betting on every runner who is going off at long odds is financial suicide. On the other hand, betting on a horse just because it is the favorite and has a lot of backers doesn't make good sense. The wise horse player knows there is a time to be a contrarian and a time to be a lemming, well not to the extent of jumping off a cliff, but at least to the point of being willing to bet on a horse even though others are betting on it, too.

What this all boils down to is that when you look at the odds on a horse you shouldn't be doing so to determine public opinion. Even though the odds board is a good indication of the public's faith in each runner, knowing what they think is only helpful when you realize that the crowd, as a rule, loses money on every race, even if the favorite wins.

The psychology of betting often reflects the nature of a person. For instance, some people will think of betting on a horse and then look at the tote board to check the odds. Person A's reaction to the horse being a favorite may be completely different than person B's reaction. Person A may be discouraged and not bet on the horse because he or she doesn't like to bet favorites and feel that he or she is being sheepish and going along with the crowd.

Person Be may look at the odds and, finding the horse is the public's choice, may feel that it is a good sign and therefore be willing to make the wager. Both people are missing the point. The purpose of checking the odds should be to see if the horse offers real value based on your estimate of the runner's chance of winning the race.

There is no problem with being one of the crowd and betting on a horse that is getting some support in the pools as long as the crowd you are joining is the one that looks for value in every bet and makes a profit in the long run. You won't be unique, but you will be part of a very small group of people, the ones who know that the real purpose of using the odds is to determine value, not probability.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Picking Winners and Handicapping Horse Races Using Public Handicappers

Have you ever followed the public handicappers who put their picks in the newspaper or who work for the race track? You may find that some of them go on streaks and sometimes actually do quite well at finding winners. Of course, it is almost impossible for them to show a profit because they have to pick horses in every race. Playing every race and making a profit is about impossible. The best handicappers in the world pick their spots carefully and pass a lot of races.

But you as a horse player can do the same thing, so you don't have to play every horse that the public "cappers," pick. Think of that and the implications. You can follow them and determine where their strengths and weaknesses are. There is one that I can think of who handicaps the New York circuit and who is good at spotting live two year olds. He doesn't hit a lot of winners but has some very mice longshot bets in maiden races and shows a profit overall.

That is the kind of information that you can use and save yourself some time digging through the past performances. First of all, however, you have to determine just where the public capper's strength lies and then exploit it. You do that by printing out his or her picks and then getting the results and comparing them along with the payoffs.

The important thing is to note the kinds of race and the conditions. For instance, if it is a race for 3 year olds or 2 year olds, that is significant. The length of the race and surface is important, too. Keep track of all these things and start looking for patterns or long shot winners.

Obviously a winner here or there isn't a pattern, but if you watch him or her over a period of three or four months and he or she hits a high percentage of winners or enough long shots to show a profit, then you've found an easy way to find good bets. While the handicapper may not tell you which races are actually profitable for him or her, you will know.

It is interesting to note that after following public handicappers for months and seeing that some actually show a profit in certain kinds of races, like the example of the NY handicapper, even though some have a kind of race where they excel, many times, they don't identify them as their "best bets." For instance, handicapper A may show an overall profit in maiden races but when he or she picks his or her best bet of the day, it is in an allowance race.

That shouldn't bother you, however if you know that the real best bet is in another race and you use that information to identify your own best bet of the day.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Horse Racing Handicapping Long Shot Bets Based on In The Money Percentages

Winning money betting on horses can be thrilling, intoxicating, addicting, and downright dangerous. If you get the bug for cashing bets on horses at long odds you're going to spend a lot of money and probably lose more than you win. That is one of the sad facts about handicapping horse races.

The money that the track takes out of the pools is so high, it is almost impossible to make a profit betting on horses. There are a few people who manage to make more than they lose, but they are the exception to the rule. Therefore, whether you play favorites, mid priced horses, or long shots, you should be cautious and look for the best value you can find.

One way to gauge a horse's ability is to look at how many times it finished in the money, that is first, second, or third. This is especially important in cheap claiming races where the owner is probably spending a lot to race a horse in races where the purses are cheap.

In cheap claiming races, horses that finish in the money often are earning checks for their connections and maybe even paying their own way. These "bread and butter horses," as they are often called, are often very good win bets even if they appear to be over matched by one or two other horses in the race.

The thing you must bear in mind if you're handicapping a claiming race is that these horses didn't make it to the bottom of the claiming ranks by being predictable or holding their form. The horse who has just put in a good performance and appears to be ready to win today could just as easily throw in a clinker and run out of the money. On the other hand, the runner who always seems to find it's way into the trifecta may be the winner today.

Consistency is the rarest of all qualities in cheap races, not speed, class, or pace. That's because consistency and form are both based on soundness and most cheap claimers have a physical problem or two or maybe they just lack athletic ability. Whatever the case may be, horses who can find their way into the money time and again do win occasionally.

Their ability to hold their form and to run competitively is the most important factor and therefore should be considered above speed, pace and all the rest. You will often find them at long odds simply because other horses seem to have more speed or class or the pace scenario seems to be working against them. Ask yourself this question, however, how do they always seem to make it into the money at the end of the race? The answer is obvious, they overcome adversity and that is exactly what makes a good longshot bet.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Handicapping Tip - At What Point Do Training Methods Change in Horse Racing?

The training methods of thoroughbred race horses have been studied by many handicappers so that they can understand what the trainer is trying to accomplish with a horse and also so they can determine if he or she will be successful. Watching the methods of the great conditioners, one quickly learns that getting a cheap claimer to the winners circle often involves different strategies than winning big races.

The first handicapping tip you should learn is that you will probably never make a profit betting on horses unless you understand the basics of conditioning a horse and how the greats do it. When you sit down to evaluate the runners in a race, what you are really doing, other than comparing each of them to the rest of the field, is trying to determine how that horse will run in today's race.

The only way you can gauge the runner's ability is to look at what the trainer has done and try to figure out if the runner will improve, stay the same, or regress. Nothing in the business of betting on horses is static, especially the actual condition of the runners. The trainer is the person who has the most direct effect on the horse. Looking at equipment changes, workout times and frequency, and which races the runner is placed in will help you to figure out what the conditioner has planned for the horse.

You will notice that stakes horses and runners in big races are usually more formful and keep their conditioning longer. The bottom of the barrel claimers usually have some physical problems that limit them and also make them unpredictable. Therefore, at some point between the cheapest claimer and the highest priced performer, you'll notice a difference in the frequency of workouts and the speeds.

Super trainers such as Bob Baffert will often push a great runner such as Coil through a half mile workout like the work that Coil posted before the Travers. Coil went the half in company in 46.12 seconds. While a top performer like Coil can work like that and come back within a week and race a big race against Grade 1 horses, cheap claimers would need more time off and would probably also come back lame from such an effort.

While horses in Starter Allowances and Handicaps may not be of the same caliber as Coil and other Grade 1 performers, it is good to note that when one works fast and is brought right back it is often a very good indication of a sound horse. The cutoff point is usually somewhere around the top claiming prices where horses slip from high priced claiming races into Starter Allowance ranks and back to the big claimers.

Don't look for fast workouts in the cheap claiming ranks and if you do see one, be cautious because it may have taken more out of the horse and it will run a poor race. Therefore, fast works may be excellent indicators of conditioning for the top horses, but often have the opposite effect on cheap horses.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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A Horse Racing Angle Based on Running Style and Post Position

Winning horse racing bets is tough enough when you have inside information or work very hard at handicapping. Most horse players are always looking for a new angle and a few good bets. While some people evaluate every runner in a race and then determine a morning line for those horses, others just look through the past performances for a few good spot plays.

Whatever your style may be, being aware of what makes a good opportunity in wagering is important if you're ever going to make money betting on horses. The best bet in horse racing is a horse that runs like a favorite and is bet like a long shot. They are so rare, however, that you can wait weeks or even months to find one.

Getting an edge is how a gambler wins, whether it is in a casino, race track, or pitching pennies in a back alley. One angle that gives about as good an edge as anything I've ever found is post position and running style combined. Most players know that horses starting in the post have an advantage in many races.

One of the reasons for that is simple mathematics. Horses starting on the inside and running in what is called the one path have the shortest distance to travel around the track. If they run at the same speed as another horse but have to go a shorter distance, they win. So it isn't all about speed, it's also about position. You can get the post position statistics for different distances at your favorite track and start to add them to your regular handicapping.

If you really want to use those stats to your best advantage, however, you'll also dig a little deeper to see why horses win from those posts and how. When I say how, I mean, what running style wins? You will find, especially in the case of inside horses, that is horses starting in the one post or near the rail, that it is early speed that makes the difference, not just the post.

In fact, a slow starter that starts on the rail may often be at a disadvantage because it will have other runners cross over in front of it and will have to find a way through those horses or around them when it comes time to make a move for the finish line.

Now how do we combine running style and post position to give you the edge? Let's say that horses starting on the rail or one post in mile races at your favorite track are winning at a 22% clip. That isn't uncommon and once in a while is even higher. This includes harness races especially those on half mile tracks.

Let's also say that you keep accurate records and find out that most of those winners had good early speed. Now you can eliminate horses that are slow out of the gate, the ones that won't benefit from the post position and may even be at a disadvantage. Once you eliminate those horses, the winning percentage may go even higher. Depending upon how many slow starters break from that post, your actual win percentage may go up over 30%, just by eliminating horses whose running style doesn't fit the pattern.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Horse Racing Handicapping Trade Offs When Weighing Odds and Payoffs

If you are trying to make money betting on horses and handicapping horse races, you may have already come to several conclusions. One conclusion you may have reached is that it's hard to make money playing the ponies. Another decision you may have reached is that you have to weigh the odds a horse is going off at against its chances of winning in order to make a profit.

In other words, your job as a handicapper is to evaluate a horse's form, speed, class, and connections and to determine what its chances of winning may be. If the same race was run 10 times, how many times would this horse win? If you think the horse would win 2 times out of ten and you bet a minimum of $1 per race, then your horse would have to pay 4-1 odds or better just for you to break even, since a horse at 4-1 odds pays $5 to win based on a $1 bet.

The whole process of finding value gets much more complicated when playing exotics especially when they involve three or more horses. I know many people who play trifectas like to keep the favorite in their combinations because they hit the board about 70% of the time, but they also like to include a few long priced horses in order to cash in on those longshots when they manage to get their noses into the trifecta.

While including long priced horses will help you to cash bigger trifecta tickets, it also will mean fewer times that you cash, and since it is so difficult to determine actually payoffs, it becomes a hit or miss process for most horse players. Wheeling a horse in the exacta is a little easier to do when you're trying to figure odds and payoffs because projected exacta payoffs are usually on display somewhere at the track or OTB.

If you think a horse has a 20% chance of winning and the lowest exacta payoff for the $1 exacta is $20, then that will become the break even point. Next you must compute the cost of the entire wheel bet based on the size of the field. In an 8 horse race a $1 exacta wheel costs $7. In order to break even in ten races, you would have to make a minimum of $35 to cover your bets. Therefore, a $20 payoff just won't do. But what if the lowest paying exacta isn't what your wheel produces? Perhaps a long shot will come in with your key horse and you'll cash a $100 ticket.

It is that uncertainty that appeals to risk takers and gamblers, but when struggling to make money and when profit is imperative, the straight win bet with a close approximation of the final payoff is the best method of betting on horse races for most handicappers.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Horse Racing Handicapping Trifectas, Form Cycles, and Consistency

Hitting trifectas and cashing big tickets is one of the great joys of horse racing handicapping. It is also very difficult and potentially expensive. Missing too many bets when trying to win a trifecta is one of the best ways to lose your bankroll and wind up in the poor house. That's why many "tri" players try to find consistent horses to use in their wagers.

Some people add up the number of times a horse has finished in the money for the year and divide it by the total number of races in order to get a consistency rating based on a percentage. For instance, if a horse has finished in the money, first, second, or third 8 times and has raced 16 times this year, it has been in the money (ITM) 50% of the time.

Finding the runners in the race with the highest ITM% is one way to build a tri wager. Some players then box them and figure they've covered the most logical choices and therefore have the best chance of winning. Unfortunately for them, that isn't how it works in real life. For one thing, any handicapping done with past performances, which is how most of us look at the races, is done by looking in the past and trying to project into the future.

It doesn't matter whether you are handicapping the races or the stock market, anyone who has tried this method of using the past to prognosticate knows that it is risky and difficult. On the other hand, what else is there? The problem with using an ITM% based on the total number of races for the year is that the form cycle affects in the money finishes.

Naturally, when a horse is returning after a lay off and rest it may take a few races to get back into mid season form. Therefore, it may finish out of the money. On the other hand, if a horse is in mid season form, at the peak of the form cycle, you would expect it to have a very good chance of finishing in the money, perhaps even winning.

It's okay to divide ITM finishes into the total number of races for the year, but before you use that figure, ask yourself if the runner is at its peak, getting better, or getting worse. If you have a choice between a horse with about 50% ITM finishes who has been racing a lot, maybe too much and a horse with a 40% ITM, but who is just starting to get into shape, the latter of the two may be the better horse to include in your trifecta box or wheel bet.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Betting on Dead Horses, A Look at Instant Racing and the Future of Real Horse Racing

Did you ever bet on dead horse? I don't mean a runner that was so slow he or she was referred to as dead by the betting public, I mean really dead, as in no heart beat, history, a horse that is long gone. Well now you can and you can even win, providing the horses your dead horse beats are also dead.

This is no joke, it's called instant racing and it is done from a betting terminal. Many states have racinos where slot machines are available at the race tracks. Revenue from the slots is used to give sagging pari-mutuel revenue a boost and to hopefully keep horse racing alive. States like Kentucky, where slot machines are illegal and therefore cannot be used to help horse racing, have the alternative of offering a horse racing game, which is what is offered on the instant racing terminal.

Players are given racing forms and graphs to use to handicap races between great horses from the past. Virtual races are then run and the player's bets, based on the top three finishers of the race, are paid out. Revenue from the instant racing games is divided between horsemen, the state, and the race track. Does this sound like a good thing?

At Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, where instant racing was debuted in 2000 to overcome a sharp decline of 40% in racing revenue, it has helped to bring in much needed money to keep live racing alive. The problem is how many real racing fans are being added to the sports followers and how many of those potential fans are becoming video racing fans? Is this actually good for racing in the long run?

Will someone who plays the races on a machine want to walk outside the grandstand to watch a live race? When simulcasting was introduced it was going to be the salvation of racing and since it could offer the ability of patrons to watch racing just about anywhere, it was thought that many more people would become racing fans and bettors. It didn't happen.

How long will it be before casinos and instant racing become so popular that there will be a good enough argument to close the actual live racing down and to use the revenue from these other gambling venues to feed the budget needs of hungry states? This is one of the questions that is being asked while other groups, such as The Family Foundation in Kentucky who opposed the legalization of the instant racing games.

The legal argument seems to hinge on whether or not the instant racing game is a game of skill or chance. Games of chance are considered gambling while games of skill are considered sport since the player does have the ability to increase his or her odds of winning.

Since handicapping skill is required to win instant games, or at least that is the premise, it may in the end create a whole new crop of handicappers who honed their skills on virtual terminals and races featuring some of the greatest thoroughbreds of all times, even if they were dead when the virtual races were run.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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