Horse Racing Handicapping Techniques

According to Jim Lehane of Free-Horseracing-Info.com, "Successful horse handicappers don't play to win, they play to make money." Arrive at the track early so you have enough time to do your research and place your bets. With the right horse, and a little luck, you'll soon be cashing winning tickets.

  1. Daily Racing Form

    • Before you start handicapping, you need to get to know the horses that are in the race, so you need to purchase a Daily Racing Form, which you can buy at the racetrack.

      The Daily Racing Form lists all the horses running in a particular race, and you can check to see how fast a particular horse ran in previous races and the position it finished in the field, among other racing data.

      People who make a living by horse handicapping give their predictions on which horses will finish in first, second and third place, so you may want to consider their opinions as you're handicapping.

    Track Condition

    • Some horses like to run on a muddy track, and others may prefer a dry track. If the horse you want to bet on is a mud runner and it's a 90-degree day, sit that race out or change your bet.

    Post Position

    • If your horse draws the outside post, it is giving up ground to other entries in the race, and it will be harder for the horse to win that race.

      Horses who like to come from behind may benefit from an outside post, as it keeps other horses out of its way until it gets ready to make its run.

      Running from an inside position on a wet track may affect some horses, since water drains toward the middle.

    Pace

    • Study your Daily Racing Form to see which horses came from behind or led most of the way in their previous races.

      Is there a speed horse in the race that will probably be out in front? If you have just one speed horse in the race, and the pace is fast, the speed horse will probably be the winner. If two speed horses are dueling for the lead, both may tire, and a horse that comes from behind might steal the race. If the pace is slow, one of the speed horses will probably win, because it can outrun the other horses.

    Jockey

    • Look up winning percentages for certain jockeys and trainer/jockey combinations with a high win percentage in your Daily Racing Form.

      Some jockeys prefer to ride in a shorter race, while others prefer the longer distance races.

    Unusual Information

    • Is a horse coming off of a long layoff? Will it wear leg bandages for the particular race you're betting on?

      Check for editorial information in your Daily Racing Form that may explain why the horse hasn't been racing or any conditions the horse may have developed that explain why it needs leg bandages.