So you want to make some money betting on horses? Whether it be thoroughbred, Quarter horse, Harness Racing, or Natural Hunt you want to master 'The Sport of Kings'. At the Kentucky Derby at ChurchHill Downs, the Melbourne Cup in Australia, or the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the UK you'll see the many betting options. Straight Up, Daily Double, Quinella, Exacta, SuperFecta, Trifecta, Boxed bet or Pick Six to name a few. But how do you decide on which horses to place bets on and be 'In the Money'. Here are some factors to consider and tips on placing wagers.
1. Get a copy of the free or online version of the 'Racing Post' or Racing Form
This is an invaluable tool. It is usually found in the leading newspapers focused on horse racing. They will even have copies at the track. Usually only the top tipsters are in this listing. They forecast the winner in a part of the 'Racing Post' called The Selection Box. Look for horses that many forecast as the potential winner. The 'Racing Post is a very good source.
2. Take a Tour of the Paddock
Be at the paddock entrance when the horses arrive. Look at each horse closely and look for positive or negative signs. Things like nerves, scent of liniment, excessive sweating, or foaming or drooling at the mouth are negative and are worth noting. Positive signs are neck bowed, prancing, a focused look, shinny coats and dapples. Watch for any of these signs all the way out to the track.
3. Check the distance of the race
Some horses are better at different distances. Whether it is 5 furlongs or 3 miles you have want to know if a horse will weaken down the stretch or not have enough time to short it's true form. In the racing form you will usually see the last 3 races the horse ran. If it did well in a prior race at a similar distance that is a good sign. If the horse has not raced at today's distance recently you should factor that into your decision and do more analysis.
4. Look at the horse's form
A 'C' means the horse has been a winner over this particular course at sometime in the past. The 'D' means he has been a winner over the distance of today's race is being run. If C or D (or preferably both) appears then this is a strong indication that the horse should be considered.
5. Who is the Jockey for the race?
If you want a strong finish you need a good jockey. Otherwise the horse may not run up to it's potential. In the racing form they will compare the jockeys. Some will be more experienced than others. Check out who will be riding each horse in a racing field, usually there will be some well known names that stick out above the rest.
6. Look at the favorite
Favorites statistically win close to 30-40% of the time. There could be a super favorite. This one may be way above the rest of the horses in that particular race. There also may be several favorites for a particular race. If that happens be very careful with your selection. If you are more advanced you may want to think about a Trifecta or Quinella for that race.
There are ways to lower your risks and make consistent winnings betting on horses. But you need to know the basics and also you need to know the secrets of betting on horses. This will make the difference between 'Getting Lucky' and producing consistent results. Everyone wants to strike a winner and everyone wants to be a Super Punter so use these tips to help you get better results.
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