how to learn about horse racing?

Question

any methods and if u don't have one do u recommend, a book or a site that'll teach amatuers like me? basically i need to learn the basics, and some basic techniques to get me started.

do u think there is a a proven method to win? or are they all scams?

Answer 1

Start with:

Betting on Horse Races for Dummies (Richard Eng)

Betting Thoroughbreds (Steven Davidowitz)

There you will get most of the basics.

More advanced stuff is available at the DRF website.

The best thing to do is watch races. If you have a track to go to, just go and hang out, and learn the basics of placing a bet at a window, buying and reading the racing form, etc. You don't even have to place bets in the beginning, you can just play on paper and keep track of how you do. (Although it's hard when you're at the track not to put down just a couple of $2 bets. After all, one decent $2 score (at 4-1) pays for your admission, your racing form, and a beverage).

If you have cable TV, there's 2 channels dedicated to racing, HRTV and TVG. Watching those is great for a beginner, because the commmentators will be constantly dispensing knowledge that a beginner doesn't have. Sometimes it's more than a beginner can understand, but just keep watching, listening, and learning.

Simulcasting (where you watch and play multiple tracks) of races allows you to bet on a race like every 5 minutes. Don't get caught up in any of that. Learn your local track. You get a race every 30 min. Learn the best jockeys, the best trainers, the best owners.

Don't get fancy at the beginning. Start with straight bets (win, place, show) and maybe an occasional daily double or exacta box. Leave the trifectas and pick 6 to people with more experience and (especially) bigger bankrolls.

There were some other people who talked about learning about horses. I have to say that this is a good thing to do. Why would someone recommend that you NOT learn something. Every little bit helps. If you know more about horses, their anatomy and things that affect their health, sometimes that knowledge comes in VERY handy. If you like horses, then that should come easily.

As for some basic techniques, look for lone speed horses on the dirt (read the books for more on lone speed, but that's a horse whose past running lines indicate he goes to the front early in the race, and lone speed means that he is the only one in his race with that tendency). Also turf races are trickier than dirt races, so stay away from them at the start. In the beginning, tend towards horses that a) look solid in the past performances b) have a solid jockey (meaning up high on the standings) and c) have a solid trainer. That way you know (as best you can) that everything should be going in that horse's favor that day. Show me a good horse with a good jockey/trainer combo, and I'll bet him over a better horse on paper that has sketchy connections...

Remember the key is to bet a little to win a lot, not bet a lot to win a little.

Regardless, I think it's challenging, fun (even with only a $2 win bet), and gives you a chance to make a little (or somedays a little more) bit of money.

As for somebody's "proven method". Let's just say I haven't seen one yet.

Answer 2

Each race is a unique event, so I'm skeptical about finding a perfect system that will win consistently. I mean, there are things you can do that will be better than just picking numbers out of a hat--for instance, if I am looking for an action bet on a race I haven't handicapped, I'll sometimes make an exacta box of the morning line favorite and the horse ridden by the best jockey in the race. I've had decent luck with that. But mostly I handicap the races, and I think that's the way to go. A very good introduction to handicapping is Sam Lewin's The Education of a Horseplayer. (You can check your library, or here's a link to buy it: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006BZ1KC?tag=tedkane&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=B0006BZ1KC&adid=1T7V004GJAAGJWJCFW5N& ). Also, read the Daily Racing Form and watch TVG (if you have it), even when you aren't betting. But definitely read the Lewin book, it'll give you the basics and then some.

Answer 3

First and For most you need to learn about horses. If you are not already a horse person go work or volunteer at a racing stable. There are schools offered at some tracks to get you into racing. Reading books is great, learn to compare times, Different training methods and racing methods. There are too many things to start with online but there are places at the track that will teach you and many library books.

Answer 4

You do not need to know anything about a horse in order to bet on them. Bubblehead is incorrect. Try youbet.net. You can practice betting there. They also explain quite a few terms in an easy to understand way.

There is no system. If there were, all bettors would be rich.