When Handicapping Horse Races, Here is What to Look For in a Paddock Or Saddling Ring Before Betting
One of the wonderful things about a day at the track is how well it helps you to know whether a horse is a good bet.
There are things you just can't know by reading past perfor4mances to handicap horse races.
While past performances are important, they are just that, in the past.
Being at the track gives you the ability to see the horses in real time and decide how fit and ready they look.
While some horses can compete even when they are in pain, others will show they are lame and that means they are a poor bet.
Some horses get washed out before a race, meaning they are covered with sweat before they are asked to run.
While some sweating is natural, especially on a hot day, excessive sweating is a very bad sign and such horses should not be included in your wagers.
Handicapping means telling which horses are true contenders and horses that are lathered up before they race usually have lost a lot of fluid and energy prior to the race.
Another bad sign is a horse that is showing lameness.
You don't have to be a vet to spot a lame horse.
It just takes a little practice.
There is an old saying around the track, "If it walks like a sailor it will be a trailer.
" That means a horse with an excessive roll to its gait, from side to side, is shifting weight because of pain or discomfort.
Looks for that in the saddling ring and when they go out on the track for the post parade.
Another thing to look for is a horse that is holding its head high to shift its weight off the forelegs or a horse holding its head too low to shift its weight off the hind legs.
There are other things to look for as well.
Notice which horses are wearing front wraps on their forelegs and if they had them last race.
Also, and this is very important, make notes of horses wearing tongue ties and when they race again, see if they are wearing them.
If you notice a horse that is wearing a tongue tie for the firs time, it could be a winner.
For the right horses, tongue ties make a very big difference.
Learn to do your own horse watching and keep notes.
Get to the track as often as you can afford it and do your homework.
You'll be handsomely paid for your efforts and also watch one of the greatest sports on earth.
There are things you just can't know by reading past perfor4mances to handicap horse races.
While past performances are important, they are just that, in the past.
Being at the track gives you the ability to see the horses in real time and decide how fit and ready they look.
While some horses can compete even when they are in pain, others will show they are lame and that means they are a poor bet.
Some horses get washed out before a race, meaning they are covered with sweat before they are asked to run.
While some sweating is natural, especially on a hot day, excessive sweating is a very bad sign and such horses should not be included in your wagers.
Handicapping means telling which horses are true contenders and horses that are lathered up before they race usually have lost a lot of fluid and energy prior to the race.
Another bad sign is a horse that is showing lameness.
You don't have to be a vet to spot a lame horse.
It just takes a little practice.
There is an old saying around the track, "If it walks like a sailor it will be a trailer.
" That means a horse with an excessive roll to its gait, from side to side, is shifting weight because of pain or discomfort.
Looks for that in the saddling ring and when they go out on the track for the post parade.
Another thing to look for is a horse that is holding its head high to shift its weight off the forelegs or a horse holding its head too low to shift its weight off the hind legs.
There are other things to look for as well.
Notice which horses are wearing front wraps on their forelegs and if they had them last race.
Also, and this is very important, make notes of horses wearing tongue ties and when they race again, see if they are wearing them.
If you notice a horse that is wearing a tongue tie for the firs time, it could be a winner.
For the right horses, tongue ties make a very big difference.
Learn to do your own horse watching and keep notes.
Get to the track as often as you can afford it and do your homework.
You'll be handsomely paid for your efforts and also watch one of the greatest sports on earth.
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