| Harness racing is a tough sport for the horses, people | | | | common knowledge on the back stretch, unfortunately, |
| who race them, and the bettors who handicap them. | | | | there are some trainers who think they know how a |
| The trainers and drivers are trying to make a living and | | | | horse should be shod and can easily make the horse |
| the bettors are trying to make a profit. Unfortunately, | | | | worse. These types aren't hard to spot. They claim a |
| everyone can't be a winner. The track has to get its | | | | horse and it starts going backwards, falling down the |
| share to keep operating and some trainers and drivers | | | | claiming ladder as they try desperately to get a win. |
| are better than others, or just seem to have better | | | | They keep thinking the horse is out classed. |
| luck. | | | | It is usually the trainer who is outclassed. Soon another |
| There is an old saying that starts with this line, "For | | | | trainer will claim the horse, correct the shoeing and |
| want of a nail, the shoe was lost..." It ends with the | | | | other problems, and win with the same horse. That's |
| entire kingdom being lost and it started with the loss of | | | | why I often say, the biggest problems that race horses |
| a horse shoe. Believe it or not, many harness races | | | | have are the people who mess them up. Smart |
| are won or lost because of the shoes. | | | | trainers add as little equipment as possible and let |
| If you want to pick some good priced winners, learn to | | | | nature take its course. They shoe them so they are |
| spot the trainers that are good at picking up a horse, | | | | straight and win races. |
| usually through the claim box, and then improving the | | | | So if you want to find a good bet, one that may |
| horse. Many of these trainers start by looking the | | | | surprise the other bettors and therefore pay a fair |
| horse over and deciding if the shoeing is correct for | | | | price, maybe even be a long shot, find a horse that |
| the horse. A good farrier can make you or break you | | | | has found a new barn and has been corrected by a |
| in Standardbred racing. Letting the hopples out a notch | | | | good trainer and farrier. Keep notes on the trainers |
| or two can also produce winners, even though it is | | | | who claim them and improve them and don't be afraid |
| such a simple move. | | | | to bet one at good odds, even if it is moving up in |
| A simple adjustment to a horse's shoeing can turn a | | | | class, that's where the money is. |
| lame horse into a happy, healthy, winner. This is | | | | |