While seasoned handicappers often follow horse racing year round, big events like the upcoming Breeders' Cup tend to draw newcomers and casual fans out of the woodwork. This week, we would like to highlight some of our previous articles that might be helpful for initiating new players to horse racing handicapping.

The People of Horse Racing

To begin from the beginning, The Cast: Horse, Jockey, Trainers, and Owners gives a short background on the sport and the roles that jockeys, trainers and owners each play in producing a winning horse. In How Watching Owners, Trainers and Jockeys Can Secure the Keys to Winning Selections, James Robins expands on each of these essential roles and provides a behind-the-scenes look at the process of assembling the team of people involved with the horse (also called a horse’s “connections”) that precedes each race.

The Money: Where and How to Bet

When a horse racing spectator wants to take it a step further and place a bet, he or she can chose between various Betting Venues. There are several Types of Wagers, but most players start with win, place and show bets. Once a bettor has learned how and where to place a bet, the excitement of the game can be intoxicating. It is easy to get swept up placing bets and lose track of how much money is coming and going. This is where Money Management becomes an important topic.

Tools

There are a number of tools available to guide horseplayers in their selections. The easiest approach is to acquire picks in advance from veteran handicappers who make their selections available to the public. Case the Race provides Toby Turrell’s Winner’s Card every race day for a small cost. On weekends, Case the Race provides free handicapping reports for several tracks. The reports usually include selections. In addition, Case the Race makes free selections based on equine biomechanical data available.

As people become more accustomed to handicapping and develop more skills, some prefer to make their own selections, rather than relying on picks by other providers. To aid players in their selection process, there are several sources of Data Available to Handicappers including past performances, and a variety of other statistics. The Workout Reports available in our store are another source of helpful data for California.

Basic Strategy

Predicting horse race winners is often a complex task. A number of factors can have an impact on the final result of the race – some predictable, some not. Savvy horseplayers try to consider variables such as gelding, Lasix, weather, blinkers, and shoe changes. An overview of these variables is available in Influential Changes. Some horseplayers gain an edge by being able to envision in advance how the race will evolve. The article, Pace Handicapping, gives an overview of how speed horses, stalkers, closers and post position can emerge as important considerations. For additional strategy tips from an expert handicapper, read Tips and Insight from Rick Needham. The book, The One Minute Handicapper, is also available at a special discounted rate for Case the Race members.