Following are some handicapping factors that can be
used to aid in placing a wager:
Straightaway American Quarter Horse racing is an all-out
burst of speed from the starting gate with every horse
trying to put a head in front at the finish. There is
no time to maneuver for position or come from behind
in the final stretch run as in Thoroughbred racing.
Therefore, the experienced handicapper can concentrate
on speed, class, jockey/trainer combinations and track
conditions without having to spend time trying to predict
how the race will be run.
The American Quarter Horse may be America's most consistent
athlete. In 1993, American Quarter Horse wagering favorites
finished in the money (first, second or third) 71% of
the time, while winning 35%. Those are figures that
can't be claimed by Thoroughbred or Standardbred racing!
But that's not saying American Quarter Horse racing
lacks the excitement of winning long shots. With 39%
of the horses finishing first, second or third going
off with odds of 5-1 or greater, you know the exotic
wagers must have paid some handsome rewards.
The key is knowing how to cash in on those rewards
yourself. But how? The answer is knowledge. If you're
a smart handicapper you'll do your homework by learning
everything you can about the horse, its rider, trainer,
bloodline, competition and even the surface the horse
will run on.
1. Class. Class is probably the most important
factor in handicapping. Analyze everything you see,
hear or read in the context of class. In the most basic
sense, class refers to the ability to win, produce winners
and develop high quality, competitive races. Class not
only involves racehorses, but sires and dams, owners,
breeders, trainers, jockeys, races and even tracks.
Think of class in terms of levels of excellence and
a competitive edge. Here's an example of class in a
racehorse compared to other athletes. During the 1987
National Football League strike, many talented athletes
replaced striking players. The replacements made for
some exciting Sunday afternoons. But only a few of the
replacements were able to keep their jobs when the striking
players returned. The reason? They were simply not up
to the superior play of the regulars. In other words,
they were outclassed. The same can be true of a racehorse.
For instance, a horse that may win with a fast time
in claiming races would probably lose when going against
horses that regularly participate in stakes race competition
with similar race times. Here's how class relates to
a racetrack. A horse with a 96 speed index and first
place finish at Sunland Park is not necessarily the
same as a horse with a 96 speed index and first place
finish at Remington Park. Although both are two of American
Quarter Horse racing's finest racing facilities, Remington
Park emphasizes American Quarter Horse racing, carries
many more graded stakes and the average purse structure
is significantly higher, thus attracting more of American
Quarter Horse racing's premier performers.
2. Before Race Day Preparations. In order to
evaluate the entrants in any race, you'll need historical
data or past performances, as they are called.
3. Reading between the lines.
The past performance information for each horse in a
race is there in black and white for everyone wagering
on the race to follow. The only way you can out-handicap
the competition is if you can read between the lines.
4. RACE FREQUENCY.
As many as 10 of a horse's past races are listed by
date beginning with the most recent race. TIP - Look
for excessive or irregular layoffs between races which
could indicate a fitness problem that could keep the
horse from running true to form. Conversely, look for
a history of regular layoffs with an immediate return
to peak form.
5. TRACK CONDITION.
Weather can change a track's condition quickly. Dirt
tracks are rated as follows: ft-fast; sy-sloppy; m-muddy;
gd-good; sl-slow; hy-heavy; fr-frozen. TIP - Horses
that performed well in conditions similar to today's
could have the edge.
6. DISTANCE.
There are three types of races in American Quarter Horse
racing: short sprints of 220, 250, 300, 330 and 350
yards; long sprints of 400, 440, 550 and 660 yards;
and distance or races around one turn of 770, 870 and
1,000 yards. TIP - Determine the horse's suitability
to today's distance. A horse that performs well at short
distances could fade during a longer race. And conversely,
a horse that breaks slowly but performs well in the
stretch may need the extra distance to win. In some
cases, American Quarter Horses, which have not been
top performers at short or long sprints, may become
competitive at 870 yards.
7. TYPES OF RACES.
Maiden, Speed Index, Trial, Claiming, Allowance, Handicap
and Stakes. You'll find a more complete description
later and in the glossary. TIP - Think of race classifications
as levels of the class of horse they attract with stakes
races being the highest and $2,000 maiden claiming the
lowest. The conditions of a race (non-winners of two,
three or four) or claiming prices ($2,000-$20,000) are
significant differences in the same type of race.
8. POST POSITION.
At certain times or conditions, tracks might have surfaces
which favor the inside, middle or outside post positions.
Most programs list the percentage of wins from each
post position. Some horses also favor certain post positions.
TIP - On races around the turn, unless a horse has a
great deal of early speed to go to the front and take
the inside rail, an outside post position is definitely
a disadvantage. A fast-breaking horse that usually wins
when it breaks first can have an edge when positioned
with room to run. Look for horses that break well with
a post position between two horses that generally do
not get away fast. In straightaway races, the one hole
is generally a disadvantage, while the outside might
be an advantage.
9. POSITION CALLS.
A horse's position during a race and its lengths behind
the front-runner are generally described at four locations
along the race: the break call at two strides or ten
yards from the starting gate; the first stretch call
at the 1/8 pole or 220 yards from the finish; the second
stretch call at the 1/16 pole or 110 yards from the
finish; and at the finish. TIP - Positioning and ability
to make up ground can reveal a lot about the horse you're
evaluating; his suitability to today's distance; and
a pattern of improvement as the race progresses.
10. MEDICATIONS.
The two types of legally permitted medications are Bute
and Lasix. Bute is an anti-inflammatory drug used to
reduce stiffness. Lasix is a diuretic used to treat
respiratory bleeding some athletes experience. TIP -
If a horse is on the first-time Lasix list and has shown
good early performance in past races but has faded toward
the end, the effects of Lasix might make a difference
in his next race.
11. EQUIPMENT.
The symbol "b" indicates the horse wore blinkers during
a race. TIP - A horse which has been running erratically
and shows to be wearing blinkers for the first time
might be a good wager.
12. WEIGHT.
The total amount of weight a horse is required to carry
(including jockey and tack). TIP - In American Quarter
Horse racing, weight is not a major factor in the shorter
races. However, in races of 440 yards or more, it does
have some importance. The horses with the best performance
records may be required to carry the most weight in
an attempt to make a more even contest. Look for a horse's
ability to carry more weight in his previous races.
13. TIME and INDIVIDUAL TIME.
The time of the race (the winner's time) and the time
of the individual horse are shown in seconds and hundredths
of seconds. TIP - Use best recent times at today's distance,
conditions and racetrack. Keep the different elements
of class in mind while making your comparisons.
14. SPEED INDEX.
The speed index is an evaluation of a horse's speed
in a race versus the three fastest winning times for
the same distance each year for the previous three years
at the same racetrack. TIP - An average of best recent
speed indexes is a good basis for comparison. Again,
keep the elements of class, wind and track condition
in mind.
15. JOCKEYS.v
At any given track, there is a broad range of talent.
Generally speaking, the best horses will have the best
riders (ones who can be found on the leading rider list
in your program). TIP - Jockey changes can affect the
outcome of a race. For instance, if you note that a
leading jockey has been taken off his regular mount
and switched to another, you could have a better chance
of a winning wager on his new mount.
16. TRAINERS.
As with jockeys, any given track will have a broad range
of trainers, with varying degrees of expertise and experience.
TIP - Pay attention to their winning percentages, not
just their total wins, as a good trainer with a few
horses will never lead the trainer's list. Try to keep
track of a trainer's ability with different classes
or ages of horses. Some trainers are better with claiming
horses, while others concentrate on stakes performers.
17. BREEDING.
A listing of horse's sire, dam and dam's sire. TIP -
As a general rule, pedigree has a significant influence
on a horse's natural ability to run. Keep note of the
leading sires and dams as well as breeders and owners
when considering class. This is especially true when
handicapping two-year-olds and first-time starters.
18. MONEY LINE.
The number of starts, wins, places (second), shows (thirds)
and purse money won this year and last year. The lifetime
total of wins and in-the-money (first, seconds and thirds)
and lifetime purse money. TIP - Can be an indication
of improvement or deterioration and class. Compare percentages
of wins, in-the-money or average money earned per start.
GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS
Blanket Finish - Or photo-finish in which two
or more horses are very close at finish (one can "Throw
a blanket over them"). Very common in American Quarter
Horse racing.
Bullring - A racetrack with either a half-mile
or 5/8ths mile oval.
Register of Merit - A Register of Merit is designed
to establish a record of outstanding performance. There
are three Registers of Merit- one for racing, one for
halter and one for performance events- but not a separate
Register of Merit for each performance event. A horse
has received at least one official Speed Index Rating
of 80 or higher in racing. Qualified horses registered
with the Jockey Club of New York City will be listed
and treated as racing Register of Merit qualifiers for
all purposes except that they shall not receive a certificate
of Register of Merit or year-end awards. Until 1956
a Grade A was a 75 or better speed index, 1957 to 1975
Grade AA was an 85 or better. From 1976 to 1985 a Register
of merit could be earned by an 80 or better speed index
or by earning 10 racing points. From 1986 to present
a Register of Merit could only be earned by a speed
index of 80 or better.
| TAAA- |
100 |
| AAA- |
95 |
| AA-
|
85
|
| A-
|
75
|
| B-
|
65
|
| C-
|
55
|
| D-
|
45
|
Schooling Race - A non-pari-mutuel preparatory
race, which conforms to requirements adopted by the
state racing commission.
Tongue Strap - Strap or tape bandage used to
tie down a horse's tongue to prevent choking in a race
or workout.
Trial - Race in which eligible horses compete
to determine the finalists in a nomination race.
|