Knowing is Key to Winning!

When players first approach horse race betting, they're flooded with a cavalcade of new words, phrases and unique meanings unlike any other in the sports universe. We invite all BETMANIA users to carefully study the contents of our Horse Racing Facts sheet in order to gain the necessary know-how and give a boost to their wins.

Lots of different factors come into play with each and every horse race: from the turf's surface type, to the trainer's experience, horse class and pedigree, all will have a sizeable impact in the final outcome. Below you will find a list containing several of the most relevant Racebook Facts and Betting Tips.

1. TRAINERS AND JOCKEYS

It's always wise to take into account the human factor. Some trainers do well with 2-year-olds while others are particularly adept with horses shipping in from long distances. Some jockeys seem to ride better on the front end, and others are better known for their come-from-behind style. A good idea is to check the standings, which show the leading trainers and jockeys at the meeting.

2. CLASS

Class is difficult to define, but it is unmistakable at the racetrack. Horses seem to sort themselves into competitive levels.

3. PACE

"Pace makes the race". This old racing expression points to another element to consider when placing your bets -- the pace of the race. A horse generally can't have it both ways. That is, he can't run extremely fast early and still have enough left in reserve to run fast late in the race. A fast pace generally means that the horses on the front will tire out and thus help the runners that are closing ground. If the past performances indicate that there are several speed horses in a race, it might be a good idea to consider a horse that likes to rally in the stretch. On the other hand, a slow pace will help the horses near the front because they should have something left for the end of the race. In studying the past performances, you might find only one legitimate speed horse in a particular race. If that horse gets loose on the front end and has the pace all to himself with no pressure being applied to him, he figures to have something left for the homestretch and should be hard to overtake.

4. CHANGES IN EQUIPMENT

Blinkers are used on horses to limit their vision and to prevent them from swerving from objects or other horses. It's worth noting changes in blinkers - a horse wearing them for the first time (or for the first time in a number of starts) or racing without them for the first time. Mud calks are used for off tracks. Calks, pointed extensions or cleats on a horseshoe, are designed to prevent a horse from slipping. Certain other equipment worn by the horses is noted in the past performances.

5. TRIP

It is important for a bettor to watch his horse during the running of the race and again on the replays after the race to observe what kind of trip he had. Was the horse squeezed back at the start, or carried wide on the turn, or blocked at the quarter pole? A horse who loses a race because of a troubled trip might be a good bet in his next start. Usually trouble encountered by a horse in a race is shown in the past performance lines.

6. WEIGHT

Weight, the old saying goes, will stop a freight train, so it's especially important to notice when horses are carrying considerably more weight than they did in their last start. Conversely, it's just as significant to watch for horses that are carrying much less weight than they did in their last outing. One theory is that weight plays a bigger role in long races, but another line of reason is that weight is every bit as important in sprints.

7. BREEDING

Breeding is an inexact science, but a careful study of pedigrees can enhance a bettor's chances at the races. Some horses are bred for speed, others have inherited stamina from their sires and dams and are able to run long distances and certain horses are bred for grass racing.

8. CONDITION

Condition may be the most difficult handicapping factor to master. It is defined as the fitness of a thoroughbred - how prepared he is to run a particular race. The dates of the horse's most recent workouts and races and the probable effects of this activity on his current condition are highly important. If a horse is racing for the first time in a month or so, a steady pattern of workouts is a good indication of fitness. A good time for a workout generally is when a horse covers the distance in 12 seconds or less for each furlong - 36 seconds or less for three furlongs, 48 seconds or less for four furlongs, etc. A "short" horse is one not trained up to the last ounce of his energy and thus not fit enough for the race he's running in. He'll tire, and his stride will shorten before the end of the race.

9. MEDICATION

Lasix and Butazolidin are medications administered to racehorses. Lasix, a diuretic, is used to control bleeding (certain horses bleed from a ruptured vein - or veins - in the nostrils, the pharynx or the lungs), and Butazolidin is an anti-inflammatory medication. Some handicappers pay close attention to a horse racing on Lasix or Butazolidin for the first time, believing that these medications might enhance that runner's performance.

GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS

Entry- A horse entered in a race is called an entry. And on rare occasions, two or more horses are said to be "coupled" and run as an "entry," comprising a single wagering unit. A bet on one horse of an entry is a bet on both.

Furlong- One-eighth of a mile or 220 yards. Races are measured in furlongs.

Morning Line- Approximate odds printed in the program and posted before wagering begins. This is a forecast of how the morning line maker believes wagering will occur In a particular race.

Post Position- A horse's position in the starting gate, numbered from the inner rail outward.

Purse- The amount of prize money distributed to the owners of the first five or six finishers in a race (varies by state).

Betting on the Favorite - The favorite is the horse with the lowest odds or the one on which the most money has been wagered. Favorites win approximately one third of the time. Betting on the favorite isn't necessarily a sound wagering strategy as favorites can pay very little.

Tip Sheets or Handicapping Aid -These are prepared by professional handicappers and may provide useful wagering selections

Need assistance with the Racebook, its jargon or terminology? Contact our Customer Service team @ 1-888-406-2642 or click on Live Chat to receive professional horse racing guidance.