SIMPLE ANGLES

Step 1: Who's the jockey?
In this case, it's Jerry Bailey, one of the most accomplished jockeys in the country. But whether it's the top jock in the country or the top jock at your local track, the statistics available in the Past Performances give you a better picture of whether the rider is up to the task. According to the stats, Bailey has ridden 159 times this year, and won 40 of those times- just over 25% of the time. Anytime a jockey has won more than 10% of the time, it is a good indicator that he or she has some riding talent.

Step 2: Just what has this horse done in his career?
The career box, in the upper right hand corner of the Past Performances, gives you the
lowdown on a horse's lifetime accomplishments, broken down into a variety of
categories. For example, Beckon the king has raced 17 times total, winning 5 of those
races, running second 4 times, and third once. His career earnings total $229,400.These
are all statistics you can compare to the rest of the field to help find the winner.

Step 3: Who has the best Beyer?
Beyer Speed Figures are the gold standard for speed figures in this country. They
Measure how fast a horse runs, taking into account just how fast the surface was on a
given day - sometimes horses will run 1:12 for 6 furlongs, and because of a change in
track or weather conditions speeding up the track, they'll be able to run the next time out
in 1:10 for 6 furlongs. Beyer Speed Figures measure these variants, so you can trust their
number to compare one horse's performances to another's, even if they ran in different
races or on different tracks. In the case of Beckon the King, his last Beyer of 97 is fairly
impressive - the Beyer scale runs from 0 (slowest) to approximately 125, though that
latter number is rarely reached. To get feel for the typical spectrum of times you might
see for sprints and routes, take a look at the past performance below.

Step 4: Where did he finish last time?
The running line tells you how a horse performed in his prior races. The first number is a
horse's post position in the prior race. Then, there are several numbers indicating where a
horse was positioned at various points in his previous race, usually in quarter-mile
increments. Finally, the last number in the running line tells you how he finished. In
Beckon the king's case, he was third.
The chart below gives you a sense of different running styles for different types of
horse. Note:
The superscript number tell you how far back in horse-lengths a horse was from the
leader, if he was trailing, or how many lengths he was leading by.

Myths

1. Always box your exactas.
A boxed exacta ticket always means at least one ripped-up ticket. A much better hedge play is a straight exacta, coupled with a quinella using the same horses. This offers protection should your top choice get nosed out by your second choice, with the chance of cashing both tickets. If you've no strong opinion between the horses, and cannot decide who should top your exactas, SKIP THE RACE. Chances are you have no significant "edge".

2. Bet more when you're winning, less when you're losing.
Every player will encounter spells of seemingly losing every photo or nose-bob and, conversely, experiencing feelings of handicapping invincibility. DON'T let this affect your money management .

3. Follow your instincts.
While heavy or late action on a firs-timer or a comebacker is often a good sign, remember one thing: The quickest way to riches in this game would be to find a way to legally open up shop and " book" the wagers of all trainers, jockeys and owners. Their understood complete lack of objectivity for the upcoming race translates to poor handicapping decisions. Talk to five jocks before the race, and you'll hear touts for five "mortal locks". Some analysis and a little hard work makes YOU the "insider". Make your opinions and stick to them.

4. A successful player must be on-track
The subjective analysis of horseflesh is a difficult task and does require a player to be at the track should this be your specialty. However, the great thing about racing is that there are more than a few ways to "skin this cat". Pace, figure, trip, or comprehensive handicappers can excel without the benefit of "being there". Simulcasting greatly increases the volume of potential plays that would otherwise be missed should you solely concentrate on one circuit.

5. The track has influence or a vested interest in what horse wins
The effects a huge carryover can have on attendance and handle aside, the racetrack has NO care in the world who wins. The track takes its cut, posts the results, and pays out the same amount of money regardless of who wins. A favorite winning means more people cash for less money. A longshot concentrates higher payoffs in fewer bettors' hands.

6.Racing is fixed
While it's naïve to believe that racing is without its occasional larceny or betting coup, there is simply too much money available in purses for a jock or trainer to throw it all away at a chance to cash a bet. If paranoia gets the best of you and precludes the ability to make a clear decision or watch a race objectively, QUIT BETTING.

7. You can beat a race, but you can't beat the races
This phrase has become the rallying cry of losing horseplayers every where . However, nothing is further from the truth. While racing luck or unforeseen circumstances may prevent your "mortal lock" from winning every race, sound handicapping and effective money management will enable you to beat this game over the long haul. Racing is the sole game in town conducted through "parimutuel wagering." The phrase means "wagering among ourselves". Unlike casinos, lotteries, and other forms of legalized gaming, racing has no preconceived set of odds. In parimutuel wagering the player is pitted against his/her fellow player. The "house/track" takes its cut for providing this service. Simply, if you can handicap better than guys next to you, you win.

8. Don't bet favorites, or horses less than 2-1
The key to riches is finding horses whose chances of winning are HIGHER than the odds reflected on the tote board. For example, if your handicapping says that a horse has roughly a one in five (20 percent) chance of winning, and the tote board reveals that your hero is being offered at 8-1 (12.5 percent), a wager is in order. Do not let the tote skew your thinking on what "value" is or isn't. Value can come in the form of 6-5 or 20-1. It's all based on the probability of your horse winning in relation to the corresponding odds offered by the totalisator. After all, how many of you wouldn't take 6-5 on a random coin flip? You wouldn't win every event (see #1), but longterm profits would ensue.

9. Never bet on horses who are attempting something new in today's race.
Anyone can read in DRF that a horse is 5 for 6 on the turf, or 4 for 5 at today's distance. Their odds will suffer accordingly. Often times, "price plays" can be found using info that is not readily apparent to the majority. A little research may reveal that a certain sire's offspring score at an amazing rate of 34 percent first time they try the grass. Or trainer Jones has clicked with three of his last four first-timers sporting the same slow work tab. How about an even-running sprinter who's not quick enough to "clear" a group of sprint specialists, but should appreciate today's soft fractions when facing a bunch of plodding routers. If the price is right..

10. A horse being offered at far above his morning line is always an overlay.
Remember, the morning line is set by a track handicapper who is trying to GUESS how he thinks the public will bet. Mistakes in his judgment, or changes in track conditions can lead to a flawed morning line. Once again, the key wagering decision factor is the comparison of your analysis of the race, with what is being offered at the windows. Only then, can true "overlays/underlays" be isolated.