| If you want to learn how to handicap a horse race | | | | So go through your racing program and find the top |
| there are some excellent books on the subject, but if | | | | three jockeys in each race based on win percentage. |
| you don't want to read whole books there are other | | | | Some racing forms and programs now also give a |
| ways to learn how to find good horses to bet on. | | | | winning average for the jockey when he or she is |
| Before you begin on your quest to become a | | | | teamed up with that particular trainer. That is another |
| handicapper, however, here is something you should | | | | very important statistic because successful jockey |
| know. Picking winners is not easy and that is only half | | | | trainer teams account for most of the wins. Stick with |
| the battle. If you really want to succeed at horse | | | | the top three jockeys in the race and you will have a |
| racing handicapping you must also learn how to | | | | much better chance of winning. |
| determine when a bet is a good one or a poor one. | | | | The next step is to find a horse that is in form and can |
| The following simple horseracing method is not meant | | | | do what you are asking of it. Many of the racing |
| to make you a great handicapper, that usually takes | | | | programs available today will tell you if a horse has |
| years of hard work. It will, however get you started in | | | | won at the distance and surface it is running today. |
| the right direction by teaching you to evaluate the | | | | Find horses that have won at the distance and at the |
| horses and then make a judgment call on whether the | | | | track you are betting at and circle each one. The next |
| odds being offered are fair. But please do not think | | | | step is to find a horse in good form. A horse that has |
| that after reading this article you should mortgage the | | | | raced within the last 30-40 days is probably in pretty |
| farm and take it all to the race track, this is meant for | | | | good shape but any horse that hasn't raced recently |
| entertainment and some information on the intellectual | | | | may need a race or two to get back into shape so |
| sport of horse racing handicapping, only. | | | | cross out any horse who does not meet the recency |
| To handicap a horse race, start with the people | | | | rule. |
| involved. I know they call it horse racing, but it is really | | | | Another good sign is any horse who finished first |
| people racing horses. So first, look at the people who | | | | second or third in its last race. Circle any horse who |
| have the biggest impact on the races, I am talking | | | | finished "in the money" in one of its last two races, |
| about the jockeys of course. Each rider in the race will | | | | providing the race was within 40 days. |
| have a win average which tells you how often he or | | | | By now you should have narrowed the search down |
| she manages to win. The better jockeys get the best | | | | to two or three horses. Check the odds board a few |
| horses and the best horses win more often so it | | | | minutes to post time and see which of your two or |
| becomes a cumulative process. | | | | three horses offers the most value. Of course, as a |
| Good trainers don't put lousy riders on their horses, so | | | | general rule, the horse with the most money bet on it is |
| you can figure that a good jockey is also usually riding | | | | the favorite and probably does have the best chance |
| for a competent trainer. If you want to check out the | | | | of winning, but if you are looking for value, you may |
| trainers you can find statistics for their winning average | | | | want to take a horse at higher odds. |
| as well, but just looking at the jockeys in the race and | | | | That is a very simple way of handicapping a horse |
| their win averages will probably be enough to get you | | | | race and is not meant to support you in your golden |
| started. You will find that at most race tracks, a | | | | years, but it will get you started if you have no |
| handful of jockeys win the most races while the | | | | experience or very little. Above all else, always bet |
| second rate riders will pick up a win here and there, | | | | with your head and never over it and enjoy your days |
| usually in the lower classes of races. | | | | at the races. |