How to Learn Horse Racing Handicapping

Handicapping a horse race involves putting together all of the information about the race and using that information to win money on the bets that you place. Some people take years to hone their handicapping skills and can turn a profit on the tricks that they have learned. If you plan to attend the races, then you should know the basics of handicapping.

Instructions

    • 1

      Get the racing papers when you arrive at the track. These papers are going to provide you with all of the information that you need to handicap the day's races. The papers are going to give their picks as well as the horses' stats.

    • 2

      Find out about the horses' trainers. If a horse has access to a top notch trainer at a successful stable, you can bet that this is going to increase their chances of winning.

    • 3

      Read about their race histories. The horses' past races are also part of the handicapping process. If a horse has performed well in its last few races, chances are that its going to race well that day.

    • 4

      Investigate the jockeys that are riding the horses. Horses do not win a race by themselves; they need the assistance of a jockey. Pick an experienced jockey that is not riding a horse for the first time. Look to see if the jockey has won with the particular horse before.

    • 5

      Review the track conditions and look at how the horses performed on similar tracks and at similar distances in the past.

    • 6

      Go online to get more information to handicap the races. If you really want to research the horses, jockeys and trainers, then go on a horse racing website before you place your wagers. Full Card Reports is a website that you can use while handicapping (see Resources below).

    • 7

      Start practicing until you get the hang of handicapping.