Not many feelings compare to picking the winning horse in the race.
There are many different things to factor in when you are trying to pick winners in horse racing, though you do have a lot of resources at your disposal.
Horse tracks and off-track betting parlours offer betting sheets for that day’s races, or you can purchase sheets at several different websites.
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There is a lot of information on those sheets, but there are two things you should look at right away.
Two Statistics To Focus On First
Pace
This statistic shows whether horses like to be in the early lead or not. If a horse has a high Pace number compared to the other horses in the field, it indicates he’s likely to get a big lead and stay in front.
Speed
This statistic shows horses’ overall speed and their ability to catch slower horses at the finish.
How To Use Pace And Speed Statistics
You should weigh both Pace and Speed into your horse racing handicapping. If two horses are similar in Pace, the Speed statistic should tell you who is the better horse.
The Pace stat is more useful for shorter races in which the horses are sprinting and an early lead is key, while the Speed statistic is more useful for longer races where stamina comes into play.
The classier the race (the bigger the purse is), the more likely it is that the horses consistently perform up to their Pace and Speed figures.
Other Factors To Consider
Other factors to consider when picking winners in horse racing:
• Lineage: If the horse’s father or mother were exceptional racers, odds are that their offspring is too.
• Surface: Pace and Speed stats are not as reliable on grass or turf. Certain horses may fare better on specific surfaces.
• Trainer: Simply put, good trainers win more races than bad trainers.
• Recent workouts: If horses posted 2 identical times in their last 3 training sessions, you can expect a race performance that is consistent with their recent stats.
• Freshness: The length of time since the horse’s last race is key. If it’s been short, the horse could be fatigued. If it’s been long, the horse could be jumpy and impatient. 30-60 days between races is the sweet spot.
• Past Performance in that distance: Each horse will have a preferred distance, so try to find a horse that thrives in the distance of the race you’re betting on.
• The odds: Few horses that are listed at 20:1 or higher on the starting odds go on to win the race. Remember, the odds change throughout the day, so you might get better value at race time.