 | The low priced claiming race presents many challenges for people who
handicap horse races, but for the patient and diligent, it can also lead
to some nice winners using this easy method. Before we begin to explore
the actual method, however, let's get one thing straight. Though this
method is easy, I am not suggesting that it will lead to great riches or
that betting on horse races is not risky. Wagering on horse races is
gambling and involves great risk, in other words, don't wager more than
you can afford to lose.
horse betting Let's start by looking closely at a claiming race and examining the field. What do we find in cheap claiming races? Usually we find horses who have aged past their prime or young horses who have limited ability and just barely managed to win a maiden race at a low level. Once in a while you'll find a young horse who did win at a much higher level but who is now racing against cheap platers because an injury has curtailed his glory days and he can no longer compete on a higher level. Some people eye those inexpensive, "selling races," as they are sometimes called, suspiciously and claim that the trainers take turns winning them. While that may appear to be the case, it has been my experience that most of those trainers are working very hard to win as many races as they can and don't take turns. The problem is that they have to overcome injuries, infirmities, and lack of talent in order to make it to the winners circle. The easiest way to find winners in these races is to find the horse that is going to improve for a day. Actually looking at horses in these races is critical. If you view the paddock and post parade of a major stakes race you will see beautifully conditioned horses gleaming in the sun. I guarantee that every horse in the Kentucky Derby will look like a million bucks, but that is not the case in a bottom of the barrel claimer. Therefore, I say look at the horses. You will usually see horses plodding toward the starting gate flat footed. Some may already be sweating the race out and showing they have no chance. Watching their heads and how they hold them may also indicate which ones are sore and will have trouble overcoming their injuries. If you aren't good enough to spot the lame ones, look for horses that haven't been eating well. If a horse is tucked up, meaning it is caved in where its belly meets the hindquarters, that may be a runner that is off its feed. Horses don't voluntarily go on diets and when they don't eat, that's a bad sign. If the head is held low, that is also another bad sign. You want to see a horse with its ears pricked forward that occasionally switching them back to check on the rider. You'd also like to see it prancing or, "on its toes," as it is sometimes called. If a horse has recently changed barns, check it out visually to see how it looks. If it appears healthy and happy it may improve. In races with big purses you expect to see horses that look great and visual handicapping isn't easy, but at the lowest levels, winners sometimes stand out. horse betting |
