How to Use Times to Determine Winners in Dog Races

Handicappers of greyhound races use many variables to pick the dog they will wager on. One of those is the time the dog runs the race in. Each program has at least six races listed for each of the eight dogs in a race, with the time that the dog ran for each of those events available for scrutiny. However, if you don't know how to use these times to your advantage then you may will be picking blindly.

Instructions

    • 1

      Realize that greyhounds will run faster under certain conditions and factor this in to your handicapping. There is quite a difference between a muddy and slow track and a hard packed fast one. Greyhounds in 550-yard contests will run as swift as 29 seconds on a fast track at some venues and as slowly as 32 seconds at others. Comparing times on different surfaces is like comparing apples to oranges. Only use times to pick winners when you are comparing dogs that ran under similar conditions.

    • 2

      When trying to choose between two or three dogs look at the times they ran, if they ran in the same performance previously. This is particularly useful when you are handicapping Maiden races, where greyhounds have recently schooled officially on the same day. A dog that won by three lengths in schooling while running a 30.89 should be considered over a dog that won by ten in 31.30, against slower competition.

    • 3

      Look at the fastest winning time that is listed for every dog to estimate which dog in the race has the most pure speed. At almost every dog track, the program will have a time listed next to the dog's set weight that represents the quickest that animal has ever run at that distance at that facility. This is a useful tool when trying to choose between dogs that have the same chance in the race, in your opinion.

    • 4

      Watch for greyhounds that run fast times without the lead. These are the special dogs at a track that can really turn it on when they get loose. This means the dog has tons of ability and heart. When a dog like this is positioned well it is a good bet.

    • 5

      Try to find dogs that run consistent times when they have a clean run. A clean run is one that is free of trouble such as bumping and collisions. The dogs that can run the same time within a few hundredths of a second can be counted on to perform to your expectations in races where you see them getting to the turn free and clear.