This short article cannot fully explain the complex issue of handicapping in horse racing. Therefore, we will restrict this article to a few simple truths about horse racing downsides to help you pick a few winners on your race track visit.

A day at the races with a few bets can be a really fun way to spend the day. Millions of people around the world enjoy this sport every day. There are many types of bets you can make, but for brevity, I’ll stick with the winning bet in this article. Is what it seems. You bet on a horse or horses to win the race and if one crosses the finish line first, you are a winner.

The base bet in North America is usually two dollars. Some tracks allow dollar bets, but most stick to the bet that has been the standard for generations. Now let’s talk about which horse you will bet on before spending those two dollars. We won’t worry about value because that topic is difficult to explain in a short article, although I have written a few that cover the basics.

You can watch the horses in the ring or in the paddock as they prepare for the race. Horses that are sweating too much, or “washed out” as they are called, are bad bets because they are too nervous and use up all their energy before the race. Horses that appear lethargic, walk flat-footed, and head down are also usually not in midseason fit or not interested in racing. Look for a horse with its head held high and ears pricked, sometimes turning those ears toward the rider.

The probability table will tell you which horse is the favorite. Take a close look at it and see what shape it appears to be in. The favorite has the lowest odds because it is where most of the money is based. They win about a thirty-three percent percentage, about a third of the time, and while they are a losing bet in the long run because they return less than the cost of betting all of them, they still return more in the long run than most long-term shots. .

Looking at the odds on the totalizer board, find out which horses have the lowest odds and then focus your efforts on the three with the lowest odds. The winner is from that group about seventy percent of the time. If you can see a horse in that small group that seems ready to run, with its head held high, its eyes gleaming, and its ears pricked, you may have found a good bet.

Check the rider’s win average and make sure the rider wins at least twelve percent of the time. Minus means the jockey is a bad bet unless there is a compelling reason to bet on his mount.

In general, stick with the horses in that group and you will find some good ones on the card. Above all, take the time to watch, listen, and enjoy your days at the races.