Handicapping A Horse Race
Below we have listed a few of the variables involved in handicapping a horse race. These few basics will go along way to helping you lay your pari-mutual bets. .
Pedigree:
One of the most important things to look for is the pedigree of the horse. If its ancestral line include a sire or damn that were past winners improves the chances that a particular horse could also be a winner.
Class:
Always look to see what class the horse is racing in and whether it has raced in higher or lower grade previously. Most well-known horse races are graded, with grade I being the highest and Grade III the lowest. If a horse has raced in a grade I races and is stepping down to a grade II, chances are the horse will be favored to win. If a horse is making the jump up to a Grade II race from Grade III, chances are the horse will be less favored to win. Keeping track of movement between classes is a good way to distinguish how well certain horses will do in any given race.
Pace:
The way a horse prefers to run a race is important when handicapping a horse race. Some horses like to take the lead early in the race and hold on, while others like to reserve their energy and move from behind into the last turn. Understanding the pace of your favorite and the distance of the race go along way to winning on your betting ticket.
Speed:
How fast a horse runs is important in handicapping horse wagering. If you are betting a speed horse, this horse will generally take the lead early and establish the pace of the race. These speed runners tend to try to out-duel each other by maintaining this pace and challenging each other to the finish line.
Track:
The track is the actual place the race is held. Often time's horses will struggle at some tracks and excel at others. Be aware of the tracks where your picks race well.
Jockey:
The jockey is the person who rides the horse during the race. Sometimes you will find that one particular jockey more often rides a specific horse then not. Understanding how well a jockey does at a particular track is important in horse race handicapping.
Trainer:
The trainer is the person responsible for a race horse's development and preparation for the track. Following the success of certain trainers is also another important part of learning to handicap horse racing.
