| Betting on horse races requires an assessment of | | | | an assessment of each runner in a race in order to |
| each runner in a race in order to assess each horse's | | | | assess each horse's chances of winning. It isn't enough |
| chances of winning. It isn't enough to look at a | | | | to look at a contender and think, "That is a pretty good |
| contender and think, "That is a pretty good horse, I | | | | horse, I guess I'll bet on that one." |
| guess I'll bet on that one." | | | | Handicapping and knowing each horse's potential for |
| Handicapping and knowing each horse's potential for | | | | success is the only way to make money. Each horse |
| success is the only way to make money. Each horse | | | | has to be compared to each other horse and to the |
| has to be compared to each other horse and to the | | | | field as well. One way that many people handicap is |
| field as well. One way that many people handicap is | | | | by figuring out the pace scenario for the race and then |
| by figuring out the pace scenario for the race and then | | | | estimating how that pace will affect each runner. |
| estimating how that pace will affect each runner. | | | | It can be a long drawn out and tedious procedure, but |
| It can be a long drawn out and tedious procedure, but | | | | it must be done. This is also the process for estimating |
| it must be done. This is also the process for estimating | | | | the class of the runners. Class is one of the most |
| the class of the runners. Class is one of the most | | | | important factors in finding good horse racing bets. |
| important factors in finding good horse racing bets. | | | | Class is also one of the most misunderstood factors in |
| Class is also one of the most misunderstood factors in | | | | rating race horses. |
| rating race horses. | | | | The problem is that, unless a horse can win at a |
| The problem is that, unless a horse can win at a | | | | certain level, it is very hard to tell how hard a horse |
| certain level, it is very hard to tell how hard a horse | | | | really tried in a race. Some horse will race hard to the |
| really tried in a race. Some horse will race hard to the | | | | end of a race even when they are outclassed and |
| end of a race even when they are outclassed and | | | | they know it. Other horses will simply run along behind |
| they know it. Other horses will simply run along behind | | | | the field turning in a lackluster performance that doesn't |
| the field turning in a lackluster performance that doesn't | | | | indicate their true ability. |
| indicate their true ability. | | | | What that means is that, while a horse may have had |
| What that means is that, while a horse may have had | | | | enough ability to run within five lengths of the winner, |
| enough ability to run within five lengths of the winner, | | | | because it realized it couldn't catch the winner it faded |
| because it realized it couldn't catch the winner it faded | | | | to last and didn't look like it could compete at all. These |
| to last and didn't look like it could compete at all. These | | | | are the most dangerous horses for a handicapper to |
| are the most dangerous horses for a handicapper to | | | | try to figure out. Their past performances look dismal |
| try to figure out. Their past performances look dismal | | | | and yet, when they drop a notch or two they win |
| and yet, when they drop a notch or two they win | | | | easily. |
| easily. | | | | That is often when the cry of foul or race fixing can |
| That is often when the cry of foul or race fixing can | | | | be heard. Sometimes, unfortunately, that is true and it |
| be heard. Sometimes, unfortunately, that is true and it | | | | was the jockey and trainer who stiffed the horse in |
| was the jockey and trainer who stiffed the horse in | | | | order to make an easy score at a lower grade and |
| order to make an easy score at a lower grade and | | | | still get a good price at the windows. Mot of the time, |
| still get a good price at the windows. Mot of the time, | | | | though, the fault lies with the horse. It was just too |
| though, the fault lies with the horse. It was just too | | | | smart to extend itself in a losing effort. |
| smart to extend itself in a losing effort. | | | | The responsibility then lies with the handicapper to |
| The responsibility then lies with the handicapper to | | | | know how hard the jockey pushed the horse and how |
| know how hard the jockey pushed the horse and how | | | | hard the horse tried. If you practice watching races |
| hard the horse tried. If you practice watching races | | | | and do some trip handicapping, after a while you will |
| and do some trip handicapping, after a while you will | | | | have a pretty good idea of how hard a horse was |
| have a pretty good idea of how hard a horse was | | | | used and how hard it tried. Then you will have a better |
| used and how hard it tried. Then you will have a better | | | | idea of the true class of a horse and can apply that to |
| idea of the true class of a horse and can apply that to | | | | your betting success. |
| your betting success.Betting on horse races requires | | | | |