1. Good Recent Form

Obviously, to perform at its best a horse must be in peak condition. A horse`s “form” is how it has performed in its recent races. Its finishing positions are indicated by the string of numbers to the right of the horse`s name on the racecard. However, form equates to much more than merely finishing position. A runner may have a string of 1s alongside its name, but these wins may have been achieved in lower class races and / or the horse has been re-assessed by the handicapper, giving it relatively more weight to carry. Recent win or place form provides evidence of a horse`s well-being, but should be considered in conjunction with other factors, such as class, distance and going when attempting to find potential winners. When making a selection, eliminate any horse that has not run a race within 6 weeks. Statistics show that a large majority of winners have run within this period. Never make excuses for beaten horses, but if a poor run occurs amongst otherwise good form, it is worth investigating for extenuating circumstances.

2. Distance

Horses have a range of suitable distances, predominantly determined by breeding. The range varies between horses, but most have an ideal distance, within a furlong or two. Do not back horses racing outside their ideal distance range.

3. Going

The “going,” or underfoot conditions, is important in determining if a horse is likely to produce its best running in a given race. Horses have different styles of running, suited to different conditions, and very few are able to perform well on fast and heavy ground. A dislike for the prevailing conditions often means that a horse can be dismissed entirely from calculations, while a like for the going can greatly improve its winning chance. It is worth noting that slower ground often favours horses that race up with the pace, as it is difficult for its pursuers to make up ground.

4. Course

Different racecourses have significantly different characteristics. Big long-striding horses may perform well at galloping tracks with wide turns, but be unable to produce the same level of form at tight tracks with sharp bends. Similarly, sprinters that have won over Sandown`s stiff 5-furlong course may be completely outpaced over Epsom`s sharp, downhill course. Some of the more idiosyncratic courses such as Brighton, Windsor and Fontwell produce “course specialists” whose good form at these tracks is not repeated elsewhere.

5. Draw

At some courses, the “draw,” or position in the starting stalls can be crucial. For example, at Chester, a large percentage of races up to 7 furlongs are won by horses drawn low.

6. Class

All horses have a certain level of ability to which they progress until reaching maturity. Young horses may start off in low-grade races and gradually progress to better class events. Conversely, others may be overestimated in their early career and need to drop to lesser events to enable them to win. Be wary of horses taking a rise in class unless their previous profile suggests they are progressive. It is worth noting that lower-grade horses can make a rise in class more easily than those racing at the higher levels. For example, the transition from a Class 6 to a Class 4 handicap is easier than from a Class 2 handicap to a Listed race. A decent betting opportunity can arise when a horse runs up to its best and is then dropped in class for its next start, assuming all other conditions are ideal.

8. Position in Betting Market

It is fairly well known that favourites are successful in about 30% of races. However, a statistic that most punters overlook is that about 75% of all races are won by runners in the first 3 in the betting market. Bookmakers are very well informed and the odds on offer are generally a good guide to the “live” contenders.

Proper money management is another important consideration in horse race betting. A punter should set aside a “betting bank,” solely for this purpose. A stake of about 2% of the bank per selection is recommended, as this allows for inevitable long runs of losers.

TYPES OF BETTING

High Street Bookmakers

Despite the ever-increasing popularity of online betting, the “traditional” betting shop remains popular with many horse racing punters. Many betting shop regulars are attracted by the camaraderie of being with like-minded punters, all battling against the “old enemy.” The advantage of the betting shop is that all horse races are televised which make the betting experience far more enjoyable.

Online Bookmakers

Online betting sites offer all the bets available in a betting shop, along with the convenience of betting from the comfort of home. Holding a handful of online accounts allows a punter to access the best prices available. Deposits can be made by credit card, debit card and other methods such as PayPal and MoneyBookers. Bets are settled promptly, though withdrawals take a few days to process.

Betting Exchanges

In addition to all the bets offered by the bookmakers, betting exchanges also give punters the opportunity to “lay” one or more runners in a race, i.e. back them to lose.

In the quest for horse racing winners, never be tempted to buy tips from the various tipsters who advertise on the Internet unless certain of their quality, especially as reliable, free racing tips are available.

Best Online Racebook – BookMaker.com

The term “Triple Crown” is accredited to a sports writer by the name of Charles Hatton who wrote it about the second horse to ever win it, Gallant Fox in 1930.  The first winner was actually Sir Barton in 1919 but the term had not yet been created at the time. 

The first leg of the improbable achievement is the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, which Big Brown won as a 2.4-1 underdog last year.  This race has seen its share of upsets in the past but none bigger than in 2005 when Giacamo won as a 50-1 underdog.  Over the last ten years, only four favorites have taken home the Kentucky Derby crown with 5 of the winners being 10-1 underdogs or better.  If you want to try and find a nice paying underdog, it seems the Kentucky Derby is your best bet.

Next up is the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico where Big Brown won easily last year as a massive betting favorite.  With two legs down, Big Brown was in the company of Funny Cide, War Emblem, and Smarty Jones who all won both of the first two legs of the Triple Crown since 2000.  In 1997, 1998, and 1999, three other horses also accomplished this feat.  The Preakness has been just about the opposite of the Kentucky Derby with the favorites winning nearly every year.  Although Master Derby won in 1975 as a 23-1 underdog, the favorite has won in 6 of the last 10 years with only one winner coming in at over a 10-1 underdog which was Bernandini in 2006 at 13-1. 

The last leg of the Triple Crown is the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park.  With Kentucky Derby winners generally winning the Preakness easily, this race tends to have some great underdog odds on the other horses since many Triple Crown prospects falter here.  The biggest Triple Crown underdog in the history of these three races happened here in 2002 when Sarava when the 70-1 horse ended famed War Emblem’s Triple Crown hopes.  The last 10 years have seen three horses win this race at 18-1 or higher including a 38.5-1 winner last year when Da’Tara ended any hopes for a Big Brown Triple Crown title. 

The slump we are currently in is nothing new with horse racing aficionados having to wait 25 years after Citation’s Triple Crown prowess in 1948.  In 1973, Secretariat eventually ended the Triple Crown drought and set some records that still exist to this day including the best time ever in the Kentucky Derby.  A great horse does not come along every year and this extended wait will only get bettors more excited about the possibility.  Many sportsbooks offer the option to bet on whether or not there will be a Triple Crown winner in any given year so maybe 2009 is the magic number.

Two different owners have managed to have their horses win the Triple Crown twice with Belair Stud taking it home in 1930 and 1935 with Gallant Fox and Omaha while Calumet Farm has wins in 1941 and 1948 with Whirlaway and Citation.  Eddie Arcaro remains the only jockey in horse racing history with two Triple Crown titles to his name as the main rider for Calumet Farm when the group ruled over the horse racing world.

Many horses have come close in the past with 47 different ones taking home 2 of the 3 legs with 16 winning the first 2 legs and then coming up just short at the Belmont Stakes.  Only 2 horses have won the first 2 legs of the Triple Crown and then did not compete in the Belmont because of injuries, both with bowed tendons.

It may be another 25 years before we see another great horse who dominates the field in all three races but you can count on the moment being well worth the wait.  Secretariat ended the drought in fantastic fashion and some race horse will come along and captivate horse racing fans once again.  The only question for those betting is how long are we going to have to wait to win that pesky Triple Crown winner prop bet?