20 January 2008

Horse Race Handicapping College - Wagering Insights - Thoroughbred Horse Racing


Kentucky Derby countdown:

103 days until May 3rd and the 134th Kentucky Derby

Wagering Insights - Thoroughbred Horse Racing

There are some people who want to bet on thoroughbred horse racing but are clueless on where to start. Without some education, you will literally be throwing money away with every wager you place.

Wagering on thoroughbred horse racing is just another betting game, where money is involved, but this time it is all about the horses. To understand more and win at this horse racing game, here are some tips on betting on thoroughbred horse racing.

First of all, you need to ignore the fancy/nice colors and designs of the jockey's silks and don't try and pick the cool sounding Horse's name. The jockey's silk colors and the horse's name will absolutely have no factor in the race results. Don't be lured into this amateur trap, you will lose.

Look at the jockey who's riding the horse and the trainer of the horse. You need to consider the good trainer and then the good jockey who historically wins. The top trainers and top jockeys are at the top for a reason.

The next thing to put into consideration is the numbers written beside the horse name. Look for the numbers 1, 2 and 3 that means first, second and third in a race and also if it has a few of these in its last five races. It has a good chance to run well in future races because the horse has been proven that it is conditioned to win.

Of course the most important entity in this horse racing wagering game is the horse itself. Choosing the right horse with good form and a winning record is the perfect choice. The key question here is how do you find these horses?

The first thing you should be aware of is, if the horses have already been successful in a competition at that distance or course. To recognize these horses, you will notice a letter "C" if the horse has been successful in a race before. On the other hand, a letter "D" will be seen if the horse has already succeeded in a race at the same distance.

Sometimes you will see a "CD", meaning the horse has won a race at this course at the same distance. This is a perfect choice because it has already won this specific race and it has the potential of winning again on the same course with the same distance.

One important thing you should be aware of, is the type of race that is scheduled. If it belongs to a higher level of class, meaning the horse you have selected would be competing with better horses which lower its chances of winning.

You should always check the current and changing odds leading up the start of the race, as this will indicate the value/return you should expect if you have a winning wager. Picking the winning horse without value, will not give you high returns.

Horses are bet down, because the horse race handicappers are picking the same horse to win. Subsequently, the long shot horse is the horse that the horse race handicappers are not picking to win. There might be extreme value in a long shot, especially if you feel that it has a decent chance of winning.

Bottom line: Successful horse race handicappers use experience and education to choose the horse with good form, with a decent jockey and a good trainer. The right combination will give you better value and better odds of cashing a winning ticket.

Horse racing handicapping and wagering, although a legal form of gambling, does not guarantee that the risk of losing your money has been eliminated.

Fact: Only 2% of all horse race handicappers actually make money wagering.

Visit http://www.HorseRaceHandicappingCollege.com for more information.

19 January 2008

Horse Race Handicapping College - Factors That Affect Thoroughbred Horse Racing Betting Odds.

Kentucky Derby countdown:
104 days until May 3rd and the 134th Kentucky Derby

Factors That Affect Thoroughbred Horse Racing Betting Odds.

People who gamble their money in competitions like tennis matches, boxing matches, sporting events, and horse racing know that they cannot bet their cash indiscriminately. You see, gambling in events like these do not purely depend on luck. You cannot trust your money to pure luck when you have other factors to consider.

One thing that people who bet on the track always do, is consult the horse racing betting odds. These figures help them decide where to place their money on. They bet their money depending on the chances shown by the horse racing betting odds. You must know that once the initial odds are posted, they are constantly changing up to the time that the gates open at the start of the race.

What are some of the factors affect thoroughbred horse racing betting odds?

1) Reputation – the reputation of the horses and their jockeys obviously affects the horse racing betting odds. When you think about it, that is the factor on which they base the horse racing betting odds before it can be affected by other factors. The past results are the basis of the betting odds.

The reputation of a horse and its rider sets the horse racing betting odds. This is because of the fact that the reputation provides people with the initial impulse to bet or not to bet. The reputation of a horse and its rider is earned through countless races. Thus, a reputable/winning competitor gets good odds of winning a race.

The horse race betting odds are affected by the reputation mainly because of the fact that it is, in fact, an amalgamation of the results of the horse’s previous races. Thus, if the horse is a virtual unknown, then it would be hard to set the horse race betting odds. (One of the reasons why a horse would be considered a "long shot")

2) Condition – before the actual race, many “experts”, (horse race handicappers), study the condition of the competitors. This will help determine the actual horse race betting odds in the day of the race. By “condition” we refer to the various characteristics of the horse and of the rider before the actual race. This includes the physical condition of the horse, which tells you about its potential performance in the race.

It also includes the emotional condition or “fighting spirit” of the horse which will tell you how far a horse will go to achieve its potential.

Currently, the condition of the horse is so important that various experts, horse race handicappers, make use of different equipment in order to observe it properly. Some people may see this as an extravagant expense, but people who are in on the business know that there is a lot of money depending on the condition of the horses.

3) House – it is often the case that the “house” or the track actually places a bet on the horses. Because of this, the horse race betting odds become adjusted. Many people base their bets on the decision made by the track. This is often the case when a gambler wants to win a specific quantity of cash. If, for example, you place a wager on the “underdog” of the race, then you could win a huge amount of cash if the "underdog" wins.

Of course, most people just go with the house, since the house is actually able to observe the competitors better. This way, they have a larger chance of winning although their winnings would be comparably smaller.

In essence, "the house" is a student of the game of thoroughbred horse racing. They are constantly observing and evaluating. If you are to be a successful horse race handicapper, then you too must be a student of the game.

What’s important about the horse racing betting odds is the fact that those figures are information. Those figures help the undecided horse player to commit their cash to something. Without the horse race betting odds, a person would have no way to figure out which horse to bet on.

If you use this information strategically, combined with sound money management, then there is a good chance that you too will be a successful horse race handicapper.

Horse racing handicapping and wagering, although a legal form of gambling, does not guarantee that the risk of losing your money has been eliminated.

Fact: Only 2% of all horse race handicappers actually make money wagering.

Visit http://www.HorseRaceHandicappingCollege.com for more information.

18 January 2008

Horse Race Handicapping College - Thoroughbred Horse Racing: Bet On IT


Kentucky Derby countdown:
105 days until May 3rd and the 134th Kentucky Derby

Thoroughbred Horse Racing: Bet On IT


Winning in horse races involves more than just betting the right horse at the right time, also known as pure luck. You need the right strategies and proper execution of these strategies in order to be a consistent winning horse racing handicapper.

Knowing about these important strategies will make the difference between continuously losing that hard earned money and winning for a change.

Below are some of the things you need to look out for so that you will not regret that you put on that bet/wager.

1. The Horse.

This is the first and foremost consideration you have to make before betting. Just by looking at the horses, you will be able to tell which ones have the best chance of winning. This takes practice, but if you are serious about being a winning horse racing handicapper, you will take this seriously.

Usually the best option when looking for value is to choose the horses that are not bet down. Just because they are the favorites and have a fair chance of winning the race, does not mean that they will have the best value and the potential for a big payout.

Although horses that are favorites, may tend to win more often, they do not normally have good value when it comes to bets. Even if you win on your wager, you will collect very little at the window.

2. The Form.

When checking out horses, look for the one that has winner written all over it. Visually observe the shape and form that the horse is projecting. Usually, these are the horses that have shown their capability to win on whatever type of race that they have previously run.

Read and stay current thorough horse racing news in magazines and newspapers. Oftentimes, you will read about a horse that has won two or more times in current race events. An additional plus is when the initial bets are started off at much higher prices for the contenders.

3. The Jockey.

Even the inexperienced jockeys are effective if they are riding horses that are sure winners. These usually are the horses that are known to run and sprint faster than others. They are 'superior athletes' that stand out. But not even the fastest horse will be able to win if they are placed in a race and distance that they are not accustomed to. A successful horse handicapper will be able to spot this like a sore thumb.

In this case, an expert jockey is the one who will make all the difference. With proper knowledge of the course the race will take, he is able to manage the horse and work it to its full potential.

Do not be fooled by the initial show of how fast the horse is. In the end, even the slower horse can measure up, because of the way it is being handled by its jockey. Not even a horse can exert 110% over the entire race, unless it is a sprint.

4. The Track.

The horse racing track is yet another major consideration. This is why you should become an expert in analyzing the track and how the horses will run on them.

Usually a muddy racetrack will definitely not favor the horse that has previously shown early speed. Sooner or later, the track will slow it down and will therefore be overtaken by the other horses behind it. Some horses show success on the Turf and not on the Dirt. Some horses will favor a Synthetic surface vs Dirt.

A student of the track is usually rewarded at the cashiers window.

5. The Record.

The best horses to wager on are the horses that have recently raced. They are similar to a conditioned athlete. Even if the horse is in very good form but has not ran for sometime, there is a possibility that they may not perform well during the race because it is not in the best condition.

Thoroughbred horse racing is a great spectator sport, but if you want to be a successful horse racing handicapper, there is a wealth of information to consider prior to placing your wager. Educate yourself and you will be rewarded.

Horse racing handicapping and wagering, although a legal form of gambling, does not guarantee that the risk of losing your money has been eliminated.

Fact: Only 2% of all horse race handicappers actually make money wagering.

Visit http://www.HorseRaceHandicappingCollege.com for more information.

17 January 2008

Horse Race Handicapping College - Thoroughbred Horse Racing Action.


Kentucky Derby Countdown:

106 Days Until May 3rd and the 134th Kentucky Derby

Thoroughbred Horse Racing Action.

One of the oldest sports in America that has got everyone hooked is horse racing. There is no doubt that a lot of people find joy and excitement just by watching a horse race, either live, live online, or a recorded version. On the other hand, there are also those that found that they can really have an opportunity to double their money just by choosing the best horse or horses in a horse race.

But then, if you are one of those who have little money to spare, this is not something that you should venture into. Trust me on this one, this in one sport you do not want to participate in, unless you have a thorough understanding and education about horse racing.


Horse racing handicapping and wagering, although a legal form of gambling, does not guarantee that the risk of losing your money has been eliminated.

Fact: Only 2% of all horse race handicappers actually make money wagering.

Like other kinds of gambling, you can never be too sure if the horse racing result will be in your favor. Those who have been betting in this sport for long have realized that anything can happen, especially if you do not consider some important factors related to horse racing.

Horse racing handicapping / wagering on horse races is the only legal form of gambling online.

If you are intent on winning your bet in horse racing, you have to educate yourself on how the entire sport works. Below are some of the things you need to consider about thoroughbred horse racing and horse racing in general.

1. The chemistry behind the sport.

Betting on a certain horse is not only about choosing the one that you think is strongest or fastest. The first thing you have to do is to know the specific makeup of that particular horse race, i.e. maiden, claiming, turf, synthetic surface, etc.

You must have a basic understanding about the many rules and strategies of the horse race. Your first concern should be the horse you plan to put your bet on. If you do not have any idea about these horses, the best thing to do is find a horse racing media source with the latest review on the horses, including how the horses have competed and finished in previous races.

Through these magazines, newspapers, and online sources, you will read about which horses are among the favorites by those who are placing their bets. More often than not, you will also see statistics that tallies the number of winnings and other statistical data of each horse.

From your reading and research, you will begin to gain a better perspective on which horses are best to bet and which ones you should avoid.

2. Survey the horses and the racetrack personally.

Aside from reading the reviews, it is also advisable to personally check out for yourself the horses that will be competing. You can do this by visiting the racetrack early on race day and viewing the horses prior to the actual running of a race.

Pay particular attention to how your favorite horse looks and does it appear to be in good condition on that particular day. Observe the horses' movements and check if they are in high spirits and in your opinion, capable of running a good race.

While there, you can also check out the racetrack itself, track conditions, etc. Do an analysis of the whole scenario. From your perception, you will be able to form an opinion on the result of the race just from your observations and analysis.

3. Money you can afford to lose.

Horse racing is a gamble. And just like any other gamble, money can be lost in an instant. Always bear in mind that in this game, there are always winners and losers. And you can become one of the losers. Although it is legal to wager on horse racing, does not mean you can't lose all of your money.

Be sure that the money you plan to gamble in horse racing is money that you can afford to lose. Even if you feel that you are on a winning streak, luck can change course on any given race. As long as the horses are still running, anything can happen and your money is still on the line.

Bear these considerations in mind. Once you have educated yourself well and are prepared to accept the consequences of your actions, then it is time for you to enjoy horse racing.

Horse racing handicapping and wagering, although a legal form of gambling, does not guarantee that the risk of losing your money has been eliminated.

Fact: Only 2% of all horse race handicappers actually make money wagering.

Visit http://www.HorseRaceHandicappingCollege.com for more information.

16 January 2008

Horse Race Handicapping College - Horse Racing Speed Defined


Kentucky Derby countdown:

107 days until May 3rd and the 134th Kentucky Derby

Almost 35 years ago, horse racing speed was forever defined.

Enjoy this short video, as Secretariat shows the horse racing world, with attitude, how to win a horse race.



Horse racing handicapping and wagering, although a legal form of gambling, does not guarantee that the risk of losing your money has been eliminated.

Fact: Only 2% of all horse race handicappers actually make money wagering.

Visit http://www.HorseRaceHandicappingCollege.com for more information.