Handicapping 101 1m6m4v

Experienced bettors believe that a horse’s past performance indicates how it will perform in a race. By scanning a horse’s previous race results, you might be able to pick a winner too. qw58

However, because it’s not an exact science, no horse is a sure bet. Especially if you’re just starting out. Handicapping is both an art and a science that takes years to master. As well as a little luck. Thankfully, each track has a number of professional handicappers who publish their favorite picks for each race. 4o6n4j

If you still want to give your brain a workout, consider the following factors:

Fitness 70335q

Just like us, horses don’t run their best if they’re not in top shape. Look for recent run dates or morning workouts.

Class 28h2o

What class of competitors has the horse raced against in the past? If it barely competed against weaker competition, it may not be able to hang with the speed demons.

Distance 6i3k4i

Most horses run well either under a mile or over a mile, but not at both. Consider a horse if it has run well at the distance being run for the current race.

Post position 4t446a

Outside post positions (10 and up) sometimes make it a little harder for a horse to win.

Running style 643y1l

A horse is either a pace-setter (races out in front), a stalker (in the middle) or a closer (comes from behind). A race with only a few pace-setters makes one of them an attractive pick. Choose a stalker if there are too many pace-setters and no closers. If there are a lot of pace-setters, they might spend all their energy trying to outrace each other. This makes a stalker a good, though still risky, bet.

Trainer 6kb3m

Pay attention to the trainer. A good trainer might be able to give even a mediocre horse a slight advantage. Can anyone say horse whisperer?

Jockey 4z214e

Better riders are at the top of the leader boards for good reason. They know magic. Okay, maybe not. But don’t underestimate the importance of skill of who’s in the saddle.

Present form 67494v

Horses tend to enter a period of peak performance, then gradually fade. If a horse’s recent races show a decline in performance, it may no longer be at its peak.

Consistency 65f1h

When good recent history complements consistency, you’ve got a quality pick. Make sure a horse’s last win wasn’t a fluke. Every once in a while, a Hail Mary works in football. The same fluke can happen with a run on the track.

Weight l62o

Even handicappers argue amongst themselves whether or not 10 lbs makes a difference on a horse weighing more than 1000 lbs. If you believe it does, it’ll be more of a factor in longer races.

Speed figures 204a59

A horse’s past performance can be reduced to speed figures. Variables such as running times and track conditions determine these numbers. They can be helpful, but only when used with other factors.