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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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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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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Should One Perform a Post Mortem After a Day at the Races?

So what is the answer? Yes and no.

If you are in system development mode very little will develop your system as quickly as doing a postmortem on every horse race. However, the post-race analysis should be done immediately following the race, while it is still fresh in your mind.

The best way to do this is to get yourself what I call a "decision notebook." That notebook is used to record each race's results and commentary. The commentary should be divided into two columns: positive and negative. If you prefer you could call these columns right and wrong.

What you write in each column is a simple, one sentence description of what you got right and/or what you got wrong. You should emphasize only those right or wrong points that resulted in either winning or losing the race.

The strength of the decision notebook lies in formulating your potential answers ahead of time. You do this by forming good questions. For example, suppose you want to know if your top early speed (ES) horse is really getting to the front. You might formulate a question like this: "early speed (ES) went to the front?"

Then, as you go through each race, all of your answers should relate directly to this question. For example, if your ES horse went to the front immediately and won, paying $16.80, your comment might be "ES1 w2w."

If your ES horse did not go to the front but the first call leader won the race in wire-to-wire fashion, your comment might read "Wrong ES1."

If the winner of the race was not the horse that took the lead at the first call, then it does not matter which course you pick to be ES1. Therefore, there should be no comment relating to ES.

At some point in your study, you will be capable of going back and tallying up all your answers:

ES1 w2w = 12

Wrong ES1 = 8

In this way, you are ultimately able to say, "My early speed process works 60% of the time."

Whatever method you decide to use it is important to keep track of your successes and failures. You definitely need to have some process for recording and tracking your results directly after a race, especially if you are still in the beginning stages of developing your system. Remember, the excitement at the horse races can be intense, but to be a successful horse race handicapper you need to be systematical.

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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Where To Find Most Winners When Handicapping Horse Races

After the race it is so much easier to find the winner and why it won than it is before the race. By looking at one hundred races and noting which horses won and why, you'd think anyone would soon be able to pick winners like a pro. Such is not the case, however, and handicapping horse races remains one of those difficult things that appears so simple at first glance.

Some horse racing handicappers try to narrow it down by using statistics. The most well known and over used statistic regarding winners at the horse races is the knowledge that the favorites win approximately one third of the races. Anyone who attends the races and tries betting on favorites as a way of making money betting on horses quickly learns, however, that it just doesn't pay. They are almost always a poor bet because so many people wager on them.

If a runner at 9-5 odds has a 33% chance of winning, then you will receive $5.60 for every $6.00 wagered on horses at those odds. Though the actual winning percentage may go up or down according to the odds, there is rarely a time when a favorite will pay enough to offset the cost of wagering. Even extremely popular favorites at odds of less than even money are often a losing bet.

So what odds and percentages and where in the betting order should we shop for winners that will pay enough to make a profit? That is a question that number crunchers and professional handicappers try to answer every day. Supposedly, a long time ago, Dutch Shultz, the infamous gangster, with the help of his accountant, figured out that certain horses were overlays and they could bet on more than one horse and still make a profit.

Though it was the golden age of horse racing wagering and odds were still crude and it was possible to find good bets based on the odds of winning. Dutch figured out that the favorite won a third of the time and the second favorite won 20% of the time. He also figured out the odds of winning for the top five horses in the odds. Horses beyond the top five won so rarely that he concentrated his efforts on those runners and watched the odds.

When he found an overlay based on the expected win percentage, he bet the horse and cleaned up. Before you rush out the door to try that how, however, be warned, it doesn't work as well any more. We no longer bet with bookies and pari-mutuel wagering has trimmed the fat from the pools making it much more difficult to win. However, the odds of each of the top five horses winning still holds true today, though it varies a little from track to track and season to season.

Roughly 80% of all winners come from the top five betting choices. As I said, it may vary a little but overall, that is where you will find most of the winners so that is probably where most of your betting should take place unless you are specifically playing long shots and have a good method of finding horses that are overlooked by the crowd.

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 Horse Races and Gambling Tips

Are you a horse player or a gambler? Knowing the answer to that question can help you to be a winner. Maybe you're a little of both but more of one than the other. The old saying, "To thine own self be true," might well apply to gambling and handicapping and also might help you to finally succeed if you are struggling to make a profit from the horse races.

Do you sometimes struggle with your own behavior? Do you make bets and then wonder why you bet a certain horse? Sooner or later, it happens to all of us who would handicap a horse race and make a profit. Sometimes it is an impulse and we later regret the bet and other times it is based on insecurity or poor judgment.

If you really want to make a profit, you have to know what makes you love to bet on horses and then use that to motivate and inspire yourself to go the extra mile to win. Here is how it works. First of all, after you place a bet and as the race is unfolding, how do you feel? Is there an impending sense of doom? Are you elated and hopeful? Can you bear to watch the race? Is your heart pounding? If so, a good part of why you play the horses is because you like the thrill of gambling. That's not a bad thing if you can use that positively.

On the other hand, when the race is getting ready to go, are you scanning your racing form and going over the horses one more time? Do you watch the race with curiosity and note how certain horses are running and the pace of the race? Do you make notes about the race or see things you might use in the future? If so, then you have the curiosity of a handicapper.

Maybe your behavior is a combination of those two scenarios. That means you're like most horse players and enjoy a good bet and gambling, but also like to handicap and figure things out.

Here is how to use those two personality traits to win more and lose less. First of all, if you like to gamble, admit it to yourself. You're a risk taker and you like it even though you may go through a range of emotions while the race is being run that runs the gamut from exquisite pain to exaltation. If that is the case then you should realize that the horses you pick and the bets you make will have to have some risk involved and everything will not be cut and dried for you.

As a handicapper you want to be able to evaluate the horses and to know which one has the edge in class, speed, pace, etc. But as a gambler, once you know that information, you'll look for a bet that has some risk and also some benefit, as in a high payoff. While handicappers often play favorites and low priced horses, gamblers are more prone to play the higher priced horses and exotic bets. Handicappers who lack a strong desire to gamble are usually grinders and try to grind out a living at the track and gamblers go for the big score.

The whole point is that you should know which scenario will inspire you. If you get excited adding up your wins for the month and find out that you managed to grind out 10% profit from carefully placed win bets, that's what you should stick with. On the other hand, if you like hitting that big trifecta and cashing out the month in the black despite some big ups and downs, that's not problem as long as you have the cash to sustain that and also realize how risky it is.

Trying to be something you are not is the quickest way to fail at playing the horses. Figure out which kinds of bets you can live with and then stick with them.

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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Fast Horses and Fat Jockeys Lose Races Because Weight Does Matter

Weight is assigned to horses in each race in order to handicap each one according to its age and performance, or so the theory goes. There are many people who wonder if a few pounds one way or the other really matters to a thousand pound thoroughbred. Of course it matters, but the question is, how much will it affect the runner's speed and finish?

Let's look at a hypothetical situation of a one mile race for three year old fillies. One filly who fits the conditions of the race to a tee has the lowest assigned weight of 118 pounds. The rest of the field are carrying 122 pounds. In hr last race the low weight filly faced many of these same races and they were all carrying the same weight. She lost by 4 lengths. Does she have a chance in today's race?

The answer is yes, of course, because each pound will equal at least a length at the finish of the race according to most students of weight and handicapping. Therefore, you decide the odds and her chances compute to a win bet and you prepare to make a wager. However, on the screen, just before the post parade, you see the information on overweights and sure enough, the jockey is 2 pounds overweight so she is now carrying 120 pounds.

To make matters worse, there is another horse in the field who is being ridden by an apprentice who gets a 7 pound allowance so that horse is now only carrying 115 pounds. The plot, as they say, thickens. In order to determine what impact these new weights will have on the final result of the race, it is necessary to factor in the weights and deduct or add lengths accordingly. There are several questions that the astute handicapper must now ask him or herself.

The first question is how much did the horse that now has the apprentice advantage lose by in its last race? The next step is to deduct the 7 pounds from your projected finish for that runner and to see if it makes that one competitive.

The next question, and this one trumps all others, is just how much will each runner advance or regress from its last performance based on form and equipment changes? Weight calculations and adjustments to final times and beaten lengths must always be made with the form cycle in mind. The horse may be getting stale or it may be rounding into good form. The addition of blinkers may help it to stay focused on racing or a tongue tie may keep it from choking down in the late stages of the race.

It isn't enough to look at speed and pace figures to determine who will win the race, it is also necessary to factor in weight, and I mean the real weight after all race day changes are noted, equipment changes, and form. The extra two pounds that the fat jockey brings to the race will have an impact, but will it be enough to change the final result? That question may be answered by deducting lengths and using a simple rule of one length per pound means the horse will lose two lengths to the competition.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth. Bill Peterson is a former horse race 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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How Much Can You Win Betting On Horse Races?

Whether you're a recreational horse player or a serious handicapper, you may have wondered how much you can make on the races. You've seen the astronomical payoffs and have also seen ridiculously small payoffs on favorites that go off at low odds and pay only pennies for each dollar risked.

Maybe your bets are usually small and it seems like when you win it isn't enough to make it all worthwhile. Here are a few thoughts for horse players that may help you to decide how to solve the problem of how much to bet and where to put it.

First of all, risking more than you can afford to lose is never a good idea. Yes, you could possibly win, but winning is not guaranteed and the costs if you lose far outweigh the possible gain. Therefore never gamble with money you can't afford to lose. If you have a $20 bill to play with, so be it.

No matter what you have to play the races with, it will have to do and you'll have to make intelligent decisions. You're not alone, you know? Many people go to the horse races with limited funds. The smart ones, the ones who have a chance to succeed, are the ones who make adult decisions and handle their money wisely. There's no shame in being of humble means, but it is a shame to hurt yourself more by carelessly losing what little you have.

There are two ways to approach horse racing wagering. You can try to grind out a profit or you can take bigger risks and swing for the fences, in other words, try to hit a longshot with a big payoff or perhaps a big exotic payoff. Nailing a pick three or big trifecta will certainly be nice, but realistically, they are tough to hit.

On the other hand, going to the races with $20 and coming home with $25 doesn't sound like a great victory. What makes the difference is how you feel about it, because you're the one who has to live with your decisions. I've found in my own case that grinding it out just doesn't work for me. For one thing, the ups and downs of handicapping and betting on horse races will usually mean at least one long losing streak.

Losing streaks are the bane of the small time horse player. Limited bankrolls just can't withstand them and the small timer will usually tap out while the well funded handicapper will last and wind up with the little guy's money.

Therefore I'd like to make these two suggestions, First of all, determine how much money you can afford to lose and still pay your bills and meet all your obligations. That is your discretionary capital, in other words, what you have to work with.

Take a portion of that discretionary capital and use that to play some exotics such as dime supers, which offer an excellent opportunity to hit a big payoff for a small investment, or play a fifty cent trifecta of pick four. All these bets are not easy to hit but when you do win, if you do, you will at least have enough money to make it worthwhile.

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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Pace and Weight Make the Race When Handicapping Horse Races

We've all heard that pace makes the race and for most of us, using pace as a handicapping factor is pretty standard procedure. However, there are times when you can still make a nice score off a pace scenario that has another factor involved. The two most common factors that will also impact the pace of a race and the outcome are distance and weight.

By weight, I mean the weight that a horse carries in the race. The actual weight that each runner carries, compared to the load each of the other runners has on his or her back, when compared to the rest of the field is one angle. Another comparison that should be made, however, is how much weight the runner carried last out and how much more or less it will carry in today's race.

A fine example of how a good wager can be found and consequently how a nice mutual ticket may be cashed was demonstrated in the 4th race at Saratoga on the 1st of August, 2011. It was a $25,000 Maiden Claiming race for 3 year olds and up run 1 3/16 miles over the turf course. The first thing that struck me about the race was how little pace there was except for the 10, East Indies, a three year old chestnut gelding by Orientate out of Classy Assets by Jade Hunter.

As you may already know, it is often hard for a horse to go gate to wire in a route race on the turf. It isn't impossible, but it is usually a horse coming from off the pace or even far back who wins the long races on the grass. To many who handicapped the race for non winners, I am sure that thought made them skeptical of East Indies's chances because he had taken the lead in his last race and faded in the stretch to be beaten.

The field was full of horses who would have plenty of kick at the end. That, however, can be a two edged sword. Yes, there would be many who would run well late, but who would challenge the front running East Indies? Then there was one more angle that sweetened the pot and closed the deal for me. East Indies was getting the services of bug boy Irad Ortiz, Jr. and would carry only 114 pounds.

That was 5 pounds less than the favorite would tote over the mile and a sixteenth and it was less than he had carried the last time out when he faded. The combination of no pressure on an early uncontested lead and less weight to take its toll in the stretch was the clincher. The fact that he went to post at 9-2 odds was an absolute gift.

The chestnut gelding sprinted clear in the early going and led by a full 9 lengths at the half.
Though Gunman, under strong urging by jockey Edgar Prado closed valiantly in the stretch, it was not enough to make up all the ground and East Indies won by a comfortable 3 1/4 length margin.

The lesson to be learned from this is that weight is a significant factor and should be used along with pace to determine how a runner will handle today's 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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Looking for Winners at the Horse Races

When you go to the horse races you'll see many people pouring over the past performances and programs. If you ask them what they are doing each one will probably explain that they are looking for a winner. While it may be true that the past performances can help you to find winners, the lines that indicate how a horse raced before are only part of the story. There is some much more important information right in front of you before the race that you should use.

Whether you have the luxury of being at the race track, or you're only watching the races on a television monitor or even if you're watching them on your computer, looking at the horses is an important step in handicapping. While most of us horse players love to bet on horses, many of us like to just look at horses, after all, they're beautiful and amazing animals. The sensual treat of looking at them, however, can also have benefits beyond the aesthetic.

Horses, as you're well aware, are living breathing creatures who are subject to change from week to week and day to day. Nothing stays the same on this earth. For instance, you may see your friend, Charlie at the races one day and he looks great, his face creased with a broad smile. The next day that you see Charlie, he may be frowning and walking slowly. When you ask what is wrong, Charlie may tell you he isn't feeling well, just not his usual self.

If all you had to go on was Charlie's condition the last time you saw him, you'd say he was in the pink, but things have changed. The same may be true of the runners in a race. That 8 to 5 favorite may have been in fine health and ran a great race a week ago, but how is it feeling today? Just because the track vet cleared it to run today, it doesn't mean that it is feeling fun of run and ready to win again. Horses can't speak in words, but they're body language can tell you a lot.

Therefore, after you do your handicapping and before you bet, look at the horses. As soon as you can, view them in the saddling ring and paddock. Then watch them when they are paraded out to the track. Look them over closely in the post parade. Odds and past performances notwithstanding, which one would you bet based on looks alone? Is the favorite looking good? Is it animated or does it seem rather flat and lackluster?

You can find important clues just by looking the runners over and noting which ones, of the top three or four in your handicapping, look the best. Just remember when you read those lines in the program or form, that was then and this is now. You are betting now, today, not then. A lot can change and that is why favorites lose more than they win.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth. Bill Peterson is a former horse race 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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For Success Betting on Horse Races, Impose Your Own Debt Ceiling

If you look at wagers as debts, then you realize that raising or lowering that limit or ceiling has a direct impact on your income and risk. If you want to avoid your own financial crisis and going broke, then you have to practice good money management. Many people say that, but few actually explain what they mean. Let's start with the goal of money management. The first rule of being in business or of being a gambler, which have similarities, is to protect your bankroll, assets.

Therefore, every decision or bet should be made with this one thought in mind, How will this bet affect my bankroll?

I know that sounds a bit odd, maybe even funny, but as simple and as obvious as it may appear, that must be somewhere in your logic stream. Financial success hinges on being able to keep making purchases until the market is in your favor. For many who buy and sell on the stock market, the old phrase, Buy low and sell high, comes to mind.

In terms of wagering what we mean is that when you wager, your wager should return a profit that will cover all wagers and return a profit on top of that. So betting in the same situation ten times and cashing three times should return the ten units that you invested plus a profit. Ten $100 win bets would equal $1,000. If you won on three of them and each one paid an average of $350 then you would collect $1,050 for your investment.

The $50 would be your profit. You would have a positive ROI (return on investment) of +.05%, in other words you would make five cents for every dollar wagered. That may not sound like much money, but in a high risk venture like horse racing betting, if you can actually get out with 5% profit after paying the high vig, or takeout, you're not doing too badly.

Keeping in mind our original problem of protecting our bankroll, when you made those wagers you would have a plan or system of wagering as well as handicapping. Your handicapping system would evaluate the runners so you could estimate the probability of each one winning. Your investment system, also know as your money management plan, would divide your bankroll into increments that were small enough so you could last through any losing streak, or downturn, and still be making wagers when your horses won.

Your debt ceiling then becomes the most money you can wager on a single race and also in a single day, keeping in mind the downturns or losing streaks

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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Do Professional Horse Players Win By Following Horses or Handicapping Races?

Here is a question that has intrigued many would-be horse racing handicappers, "Should I just follow horses or should I actually handicap races looking for profitable situations?"

What an excellent question. Of course, there is another way to profit from horse racing handicapping, too. You can also set your own morning line for value, in other words, evaluate each horse in a race and estimate the break even odds on such a runner. Then you sit back and watch the money before the race looking for that horse that is under valued by the crowd.

Some of the most successful people in any facet of horse racing are those who know pedigrees inside and out. They can trace a runner's lines back five or more generations and tell you the strengths and weaknesses of the major sires and dams in the horse's family tree. These same people would usually lean toward following individual horses. They may even become owners or consultants for buyers of thoroughbreds.

Though breeding is crucial for success in horse racing, it often isn't enough. Many well bred expensive yearlings have failed to win a race. While many fortunes have been made in the breeding shed, they've also often been lost in the sales ring. Horse trading and horse buying has always been considered a risky business.

So those students of breeding who follow a horse and wager on it often also handicap the races that the promising youngster is entered into. They know that it's not enough to know the stride length and blood lines of a horse but also to be realistic and look at the competition in today's race.

On the other side of the coin are the number crunchers or spot play hunters. They evaluate the runners in a contest based on past performances, track models, and the percentages and strengths of the connections. Some trainers are known for winning with young horses or dominating on the turf. That is taken into account when trying to figure out how each runner will do in a race.

The best handicappers use pedigree and handicapping when they evaluate each runner's chances in order to establish a probability. They may lean more heavily on pedigree in the case of maidens or horses changing distance or surface for the first time, or they may really more on current form and racing record in the case of older horses.

The ability to decide which of these categories or factors is most important is what separates the pros from those handicappers who are still trying to show a profit from betting on horse 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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How the Races Can Be the Right Fit for Hen and Stag Parties

Planning a hen or stag party is not any easy feat. You need to plan something that is memorable and fun (for all the right reasons) and which keeps the entire group happy. The days of a simple night on the town being enough is no longer the norm; nowadays, hens, stags and party-goers expect something a little more special from the event.

One of the most popular options in recent years has been a fun day out at the races. The UK is home to some of the world's finest racecourses, meaning the 'sport or kings' is now accessible to people from all over the country, from all walks of life. Here are 10 reasons why the races could be the perfect fit for your hen or stag parties.

1. It's become increasingly common for hen and stag parties to begin with a daytime activity. This helps to make the party feel more event-like, ensuring the stag or hen gets a memorable send off into marriage. Most race meets begin early afternoon and conclude in the early evening, paving the way for a night on the town.

2. The great thing about the races is that it's ideal for people of all ages, meaning if you're inviting the hen's mum or the stag's dad, they can still have a great time. Even if they don't fancy the night of partying later on, they can still join their daughter or son for the day part.

3. Not all hen's want to go round with 'L' plates, some want something a little more sophisticated for their 'last night of freedom' and likewise, the stag may also want something a little classier than the usual cheeky/sweary T-shirts. The races are all about style and panache, which means all guests will have a chance to put on their finest clobber and enjoy a fantastic day.

4. Many racecourses host annual Ladies Days, which are perfect for hen parties. It gives the group a chance to don their favourite frocks and enjoy a glass of champagne on a day that's all about fashion and fun.

5. Some racecourses are also now hosting Gentlemen's days, where, similarly, male attendants can 'suit up', experience complimentary treatments at the grooming stables and visit a casino - all of which are perfect for memorable stag parties.

6. With so many different racecourses throughout the UK, there is simply somewhere for everyone. From style and class to fun and partying, both the venues and their local surroundings mean you can choose an event that's tailored to your needs.

7. There are many different enclosures and areas within each racecourse, allowing visitors to enjoy a tipple in between racing and placing bets. This means you can get the party started in the day and be ready for the evening. Just remember to pace yourself; you don't want the event ending early because of over-indulgence.

8. If you're planning an all-day event, there's every chance you'll want feeding at some point in the proceedings. Many racecourses have on-site, top quality restaurants; while others have a good selection of eateries located nearby.

9. VIP areas can also be found in UK's best racecourses, providing an opportunity to create an extra special day for the hen or stag.

10. The great news about the races is that many courses now offer discounted rates and special deals for group bookings, which means it is no longer an expensive option.

If you're planning hen or stag parties, the races can be a memorable and fun day out that paves the way for an enjoyable evening.

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Simple Handicapping Rules for Identifying False and Over Bet Favorites in Horse Races

Since the favorite is the horse with the most money wagered on it in a horse race, a lot of the focus of the bettors is in either winning with the favorite or betting against it and winning. If you are handicapping horse races and wagering then your focus should be to make a profit. The joy of gambling and watching beautiful runners as well as the drama and spectacle is all part of the game, but when the cheering is over and the moans of despair have faded away, having more jingle in your pocket will enable you to keep playing.

As you evaluate each runner in the race, your goal is probably to estimate each one's chances of winning and converting it into a number that you can then work with to compare to a payoff. For instance, if Horse A is going to win about 20% of the time, it must be going off at 4-1 in order for a win bet on Horse A to be a break even proposition. If the favorite is at 2-1 and will pay $6 for every two dollar win bet, then it must be able to win at lest a third of the time in your calculations.

Another way to look at it is simple percentages using the totals in the win pool. If the chalk has 40% of the win pool bet on it and in your estimation only has a 30% chance of winning, that means that another horse must be under valued by the crowd. That is a false favorite and creates a nice betting opportunity for you, if you can spot the horse that is better than it appears.

How you arrive at the actual probability of the people's choice winning the race should be based on multiple handicapping factors such as speed, class, pace, connections, post position, and form. These factors are all part of the mix and many handicappers are good at analyzing them but leave out one important step. They fail to acquaint themselves with the actual statistics for races of the same class, distance, surface, gender. In other words, there is a race model that shows how often favorites win and what running style, post position, etc., wins most often.

If you find a horse that has an edge in several critical categories such as speed and pace, you may rate its chances very high, but what if the race favors closers and this is a front runner who must be out front all the way? Its running style may seriously compromise its chances of winning and yet, the crowd may make it the favorite. Even though your handicapping has shown it to have an edge, using your knowledge of what it takes to win in that particular spot, you should spot this one as a false favorite and look for a horse that may win from off the pace.

It isn't enough to know who has the edge in certain categories, it is also important to compare that favorite to the race model and statistics for winners under the same conditions. Horses who are running against the grain are often a gold mine for handicappers who will take a chance on another horse better suited to the race and they are one of the best false favorites to bet against.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth. Bill Peterson is a former 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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Money Mistakes That People Make at the Horse Races

Here is one of my favorite sayings, "Good money management will get you through times of bad handicapping better than good handicapping will get you through times of bad money management."

That is the truth and whether we horse playing gamblers like to admit it or not, unless we are fiscally responsible, no amount of winners will save out bankroll. When it comes to the financial side of betting on horse races, we have to think like accountants and treat wagering on horse races like a business.

The colorful characters and spectacle of beautiful thoroughbreds, the drama of the thousand and one human interest stories notwithstanding, horse racing, with all its thrills, is still a grind when it comes to making it pay. I found that out as an owner. When you're paying vets and grooms and trainers, as well as buying feed and supplements, you have to keep track of every dime and will have to account for every penny if you want to survive.

What is true on the backside is true in the grandstand and clubhouse. The horse players who keep track of their bets and know what they are doing are the ones who have a chance to make money. Admittedly, it also takes a good systematic approach to handicapping or choosing bets, but it all starts and ends with money management.

I realize that many of you who play the horses don't want to feel like a bean counter at the races. The people who seek recreation and a chance to get a respite from everyday life don't want to account for every penny spent at the races. That's understandable, if your goal is to have some recreation and to be entertained.

On the other hand, if that is how you operate at the races, don't be surprised if you wind up losing whatever you bring into the track, because you'll be playing up against people who take handicapping very seriously and who play to win.

I like to compare the need for profit with the need to gamble to find out where a horse player falls on the scale of professionalism. The more your need to gamble, for whatever reason, the more caution should be used and the more you should limit your race track spending.

If all you want to do is bet every race and see if you can cash some tickets, just for fun, there's nothing wrong with that as long as you only spend money you can afford to lose. One of the best ways to do that is to only bring as much money as you can risk and leave the rest at home. While we're on the subject, leave the debit and credit cards at home, too, because they now have those tempting ATM machines at the races.

If you are serious about making a profit from betting on horse races, then I suggest you start writing down all your wagers just as though it is a business. If you don't want to do that, in my opinion, you are a recreational gambler, and there is nothing wrong with that, as long as you admit it to yourself and only risk what you can afford to lose.

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 Make These Simple Betting Mistakes When Handicapping Horse Races

They say that God is in the details and it's the little things that mean a lot. In that case, perhaps when it comes to betting on horse races, little details can make or break you. In fact, just changing a few simple things may turn your luck around and you'll find a way to finally make money betting on horses.

First of all, however, let's get one thing straight. If you're trying to make a living as a horseplayer you've chosen one of the toughest ways to make money. The simple truth is that there is no easy money to be made playing the ponies. While a lot of pundits and public handicappers will try to tell you that horse racing betting is like finding money in the street, nothing could be farther from the truth.

Money management is the single most important factor in making money at anything you do. I don't care if it's selling fruit, running a restaurant, or playing trifectas and doubles and trying to pick winners. No matter how good you may be at any of those pursuits, if you don't manage your money right, you stand the chance of losing it all.

The first and biggest lesson then is simply this. Have a plan and stick to it. That plan should set betting limits that will keep you in the money through hard times and winning streaks. Bet size should be dictated by the size of your bankroll, not how sure you are of your bet. In plain English, if a wager is worth making then it is worth a full wager unit.

Handling longshots and horses that are favorites or at low odds is one area that a lot of people have trouble with. First of all, do you know which type of runner you make the most profit on? There should be an odds range that you do best at and once you know that, it should be your main betting choice. If you have to see that other people are backing your horse then you are probably insecure and unsure of your choice. If that is the case, then you probably shouldn't buy a ticket on that horse.

While it's true that you shouldn't chase losses, it is very difficult not to place a sizable wager on a favorite late in the day if you've been on a losing streak. Many handicappers get desperate and figure that the favorite is bound to win so they plunge on a big favorite late in the day. Just take a moment and think about that. Why is there so much money bet on that favorite late in the day? The answer is that hundred of other punters are taking the plunge and hoping to recoup their losses.

That means that if that same horse was in an earlier race it might only be a lukewarm favorite. Earlier in the day the favorites get less action compared to their probability of winning because the horse players are still trying to hit something big on a longshot or a horse at a good price. As the day wears on the money goes more and more toward the favorite until it is finally a stampede. Think about that a bit and you'll see that I'm right.

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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Using Trainer Moves and Habits to Handicap Horse Races and Find Winners

Horse racing winners come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, well at least the trainers who win do. They may use many different paths to get to the winners circle, but one thing they all have in common is that they beat every other trainer's horse in the race. You may have a hall of fame trainer whose horse gets beaten by a trainer who wins at a dismal 7% rate, but in that particular race, the low percentage trainer came out on top.

While betting trainers who rarely win may not be a sound financial strategy, unless their winners pay very big mutuels, it is important to note that all trainers, sooner or later, make it to the winners circle. Your ability to make money by betting on horse races will relate directly to how well you equate a horse, and consequently its trainer's ability to win a race, to the odds being offered. That, in a nutshell, is the whole profit equation in horse racing betting.

Successful, high profile trainers rarely produce profitable bets when you back all their runners. You have to find the right horse in the right situation, just as in any handicapping situation. The suppliers of past performances often supply the win percentage and ROI (return on investment) for obvious trainer moves such as blinkers on, second race off the layoff, drop in class.

While this information is helpful, I've rarely made money when trying to stick to what they tout as profitable trainer moves. Why is that? Because once it is touted, when the stable cat is out of the bag, so to speak, handicappers bet the daylights out of it and it no longer makes money. Therefore, the idea of playing trainer moves to make money only really becomes a profitable one if you can get the right odds on a horse, or better yet, if you can find trainer moves that have surfaced yet.

That is obviously just about impossible unless you know the trainer and he or she tells you that something new is in the works. Therefore, from a handicapping and profit stand point, the best trainer moves are new ones, not the habitual ones that everybody and his brother or sister knows about. Your job as a handicapper isn't to look for old trainer moves and then to bet them when they show a positive ROI.

What you really should be doing is to find a trainer who is trying something different. He or she may or may not be successful at it, but if he or she has had success in the past then there may be a way to make this new move work and you will be in on the ground floor. You'll have o dig to find these moves, though, because they won't be neatly listed in the form with a win percentage and ROI figure beside them.

The way to do this is to familiarize yourself with a few young-ish trainers and watch them closely. When you see one doing something he or she hasn't tried or has done only once in a long while, then see if you can get decent odds on the horse and if through your handicapping you can see any way for the runner to win. Outside the box is where you will find the big payoffs and the next profitable trainer moves. As for trainer habits that were profitable in the past, drop them like a... well, like a bad habit.

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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