Racetrack Betting Strategy

Pro racetrack betting handicappers not only have to know how to analyze the various aspects of racetrack betting but they also must know which aspects to analyze. The following are some racetrack betting handicapping factors that can be used to aid in placing a wager:

1. Class.
Class is difficult to define, but it is unmistakable at the racetrack. Betting horses seem to sort themselves into competitive levels.

2. Pace.
"Pace makes the race." This old racetrack betting expression points to another element to consider when placing your bets -- the pace of the betting race. A betting horse generally can't have it both ways. That is, he can't run extremely fast early and still have enough left in reserve to run fast late in the betting race. A fast pace generally means that the horses on the front will tire out and thus help the runners that are closing ground. If the past performances indicate that there are several speed betting horses in a race, it might be a good idea to consider a horse that likes to rally in the stretch. On the other hand, a slow pace will help the betting horses near the front because they should have something left for the end of the race. In studying the past performances, you might find only one legitimate speed horse in a particular race. If that betting horse gets loose on the front end and has the pace all to himself with no pressure being applied to him, he figures to have something left for the homestretch and should be hard to overtake. The best place for racetrack betting is Live Horse Betting, we recommend this site due to the big betting bonuses, professional client services, and their leading edge gambling software technology.
 

3. Trainers and jockeys.
It's always wise to take into account the human factor when doing racetrack betting. Some trainers do well with 2-year-olds while others are particularly adept with horses shipping in from long distances. Some jockeys seem to ride better on the front end, and others are better known for their come-from-behind style. A good idea is to check the standings, which show the leading trainers and jockeys at the meeting.

4. Changes in equipment.
Blinkers are used on betting horses to limit their vision and to prevent them from swerving from objects or other horses. It's worth noting changes in blinkers - a betting horse wearing them for the first time (or for the first time in a number of starts) or in a betting race without them for the first time. Mud calks are used for off tracks. Calks, pointed extensions or cleats on a horseshoe, are designed to prevent a betting horse from slipping. Certain other equipment worn by the horses is noted in the past performances.

5. Trip.
It is important for a racetrack betting fan to watch his horse during the running of the race and again on the replays after the betting race to observe what kind of trip he had. Was the betting horse squeezed back at the start, or carried wide on the turn, or blocked at the quarter pole? A horse that loses a race because of a troubled trip might be a good bet in his next start. Usually trouble encountered by a betting horse in a race is shown in the past performance lines.

6. Weight.
Weight, the old saying goes, will stop a freight train, so it's especially important to notice when betting horses are carrying considerably more weight than they did in their last start. Conversely, it's just as significant to watch for horses that are carrying much less weight than they did in their last outing. One theory is that weight plays a bigger role in long races, but another line of reason is that weight is every bit as important in sprints.

7. Breeding.
Breeding is an inexact science, but a careful study of pedigrees can enhance a racetrack betting fan's chances at the races. Some betting horses are bred for speed, others have inherited stamina from their sires and dams and are able to run long distances and certain horses are bred for grass racing.

8. Condition.
Condition may be the most difficult racetrack betting handicapping factor to master. It is defined as the fitness of a betting thoroughbred - how prepared he is to run a particular race. The dates of the betting horse's most recent workouts and races and the probable effects of this activity on his current condition are highly important. If a horse is racing for the first time in a month or so, a steady pattern of workouts is a good indication of fitness. A good time for a workout generally is when a horse covers the distance in 12 seconds or less for each furlong - 36 seconds or less for three furlongs, 48 seconds or less for four furlongs, etc. A "short" horse is one not trained up to the last ounce of his energy and thus not fit enough for the race he's running in. He'll tire, and his stride will shorten before the end of the race. Racetrack betting has a home and its called Bet Jockey. Look for the best racetrack betting lines and choose from a great variety of wager types. We highly recommend this betting site and we know you will later recommend it too.

9. Medication.
Lasix and Butazolidin are medications administered to racehorses. Lasix, a diuretic, is used to control bleeding (certain horses bleed from a ruptured vein - or veins - in the nostrils, the pharynx or the lungs), and Bute is an anti-inflammatory medication. Some handicappers pay close attention to a horse racing on Lasix or Bute for the first time, believing that these medications might enhance that runner's performance.