Handicapping Help

We could all use some work on our game, me included. That being said I’d like to tell you a few of the things I look at when handicapping a race. Maybe you can learn a thing or two!

#1 First Time Lasix- This can be a big factor on how a horse runs. Lasix is a drug which prevents horses from bleeding through their nose during a race. They bleed due to the fact that thoroughbreds have been inbred too much through the years. Lasix can be a huge performance booster on a horse who bleeds.

#2 Blinkers On/Off- Blinkers are used on horses to improve early speed and to keep his mind on the task at hand. Some horses are easily distracted by the crowd, and this is used to remedy that problem. If a horse showed speed without blinkers then I will usually give him extra consideration because he should go straight to the front.

#3 Lone Speed- You must always, always and I mean always evaluate a race for pace. Pace makes the race and if there is only one speed horse he may be able to “steal” the race on the front end. I would much rather bet a horse who is lone speed at say 10-1 then a favorite at 2-1 who will come from the clouds.

#4 second out from a layoff- Horses who are laid up have time to rest and grow and become faster and better in most cases. I would be wary of a horse first out from a layoff if he hasn’t proved he can run back to form after time off. You are better off betting him next time out. Horses tend to run much better second out from a layoff then first.

#5 Horse for course- Never underestimate a horse who runs well at a certain track but not so good at others. Lava Man for instance can’t race a lick out of California but when his connections take him to Hollywood or Santa Anita he is the king. Another example is Mach Ride. While he isn’t horrible elsewhere he runs his best at Calder Racecourse.

That’s it for now, but don’t fret I’ve got plenty more to share with you. Continue to check back and I will post some helpful tips and tricks for you to take advantage of. Drop me a line clicking the number in the top right corner of this post.