How to Handicap Grade D Dog Races

The lower grades at most dog tracks consist of quite a mix of racing greyhounds. You have up-and-coming puppies that just graduated from the Maiden ranks, dogs that are coming down in grade and looking to bounce back, and older dogs that have seen their best days but can still occasionally call down the thunder. All of this makes grade D a handful to figure out. Here is some advice to consider when handicapping Grade D greyhound races.

Instructions

    • 1

      Look for drop-downs from higher grades that show speed to the turn. These dogs have already won a D race in their past, and some of them have won a few. Grade D is comprised of many racers that lack early foot, which keep them coming from off the pace. When a dog with speed winds up in D, even if it has come up short in the higher grades, it has an excellent chance of making the front and holding on.

    • 2

      No matter how bad a double drop is performing when it arrives in D, bet it. The difference between Grades C and B and the D grade at major tracks is significant. When a double drop--the dog that has fallen two grades--gets to D, it needs to be strongly considered. If it has encountered trouble in many of its previous outings, it may go off at odds over 3-1 and be able to avoid the pitfalls in D that caused it to drop down.

    • 3

      Watch for the puppies that have schooled well, then dominated their Maiden fields. These dogs will go off at low odds because their performance lines look so gaudy, but they can’t be ignored. They are probably 1 to 2 years younger than most of the D dogs they will encounter, and their fresh legs and youthful exuberance will give them an advantage.

    • 4

      Beware the D dogs that are always coming from behind when they are made the favorite in a race. These dogs look good on paper, and once you study a race you can convince yourself that they are finally going to make it to the line in time. But these dogs are perennial D dogs for a reason. They lack early speed in most cases and need everything to go right. Use these dogs to run second or third and look elsewhere for the winner of the event.

    • 5

      Scan the program for dogs that are shipping in from better tracks. These dogs have run against superior competition, and are probably going to go right up the grading ladder. But they will be showing lines from the other venue that will not be at all outstanding. Bet these dogs before they start to climb the ranks, when you still have a chance to get a price. Dogs moving from tracks like Palm Beach and Derby Lane to second-tier tracks are not going to remain a secret for long.