[mdunlap3]

Does anyone here mess with the ponies at all? Kind of interested in it as it seems some folks can make some good money on a consistent basis.

[RangeFinder]

I've owned two, one won. Love the sport. Problem is the fields are so horrible anymore. Only good cards are on weekends, and even that is spotty anymore. Good day of racing Saturday, but then that's about it until Preakness and Belmont day.

You really have to know what's going on in the backstretch in the mornings. PP's don't tell the whole story. It's a ton of work that just isn't worth it anymore with the heavy takeouts the tracks get.

Good luck if you venture in. You can make money, but you have to do your homework.

[mdunlap3]

What types of angles do you look for? How do you handicap a horse lol

[jjgold]

It is a sucker game

Tracks empty

Liquidity getting lower and lower each year

[RangeFinder]

It just depends. Different distances suit certain horses. Breeding comes into play along with the strength's of trainer and jockey. Biggest angle that has worked for me is the cut back in distance. Example, horse going from 1 1/16 back to 6.5 furlongs. Another angle to look for that's easy to spot that people often over look is improvement from last race. Example would be horse losing by 6 length's two races back, then only loses by 2 in his or her last race.

These are very basic angles but do work. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of ways to look or handicap a race. You have to find which works for you. Most people don't have a lot of time and purchase power ratings and whatnot. Some spend hours the evening before looking at every horse's race past performances. It depends on you.

Best thing to do is handicap each race and assign each horse odds. Your odds. Then look at the board and see if you are getting value. Example, you have a horse that you feel should be at 2-1, you glance up and it's 4-1. There's your play.

There are a number of horse racing boards, including one here I'm sure you can get a lot of help from.

[mdunlap3]

It is a sucker game

Tracks empty

Liquidity getting lower and lower each year

Nooooo it seemed so fun and cool :/

[slayer14]

Mountaineer park seems to be a more reliable race track of late with a lot of favs winning the races

[slayer14]

Aquedect has been a grave yard for favs backers of late the horses lose more often

[unusialsusp5]

Mountaineer park seems to be a more reliable race track of late with a lot of favs winning the races

they're lucky if a race there has 6 horses in it. place on verge of extinction. on life support only because of casino. no one bets it anymore. 10-15 years ago they had 10 horse fields every race. ohio and indiana drained away all their horses and owners with bigger purses.

[jjgold]

It's fun that is about it

[unusialsusp5]

Aquedect has been a grave yard for favs backers of late the horses lose more often

aquaquack closed until december. belmont-saratoga-belmont season just starting. and who in their right mind bets favorites at the horses. someone must or they wouldn't be favored. you want to win the money that people lose betting favorites, so don't do it.

[mdunlap3]

I'm very close to Charles Town, how are the races there?

[unusialsusp5]

Nooooo it seemed so fun and cool :/

it used to be better. short fields are taking their toll on disciplined players. horizontal wagering out of control as people are looking for big payouts. have you been living on a deserted island for the last 35 years. you can literally get hundreds of dollars in free money with no strings attached at every u.s based legal online wagering site. also no worrying about getting paid (no processors or stall tactics to deal with) money flashed back to you next day 1000% guaranteed. advise a newbie to just pick 3 numbers and box them in exactas in fields of 8 or more horses.

[Foxx]

Nooooo it seemed so fun and cool :/

It is fun and it is beatable. For me, it's a lot easier to find inefficiencies in a market with a few thousand or tens of thousands of dollars than a sporting event with magnitudes greater volume. If you are serious and want to win though, you really need a sizeable rebate on your parimutuel action and it helps to have access to an exchange. One of the nice things about horse racing is that you can get a consistent amount of year around action as opposed to seasonal sports. If you want to take your game up a notch to the next level, however, toss the programs and start using at least one of the several commercial database handicapping apps out there. It also helps to develop proficiency in excel, access, and vba or another language.

[RangeFinder]

I'm very close to Charles Town, how are the races there?

Watch the TVG network and find the tracks you like. Everyone likes different tracks.

[unusialsusp5]

I'm very close to Charles Town, how are the races there?

extremely low grade. track too narrow and short. near bottom of the barrel. although there is a somewhat interested live fan base that goes there which translates into a little more excitement if you're looking to watch and bet a live product. i'd stick to the simulcasting parlor there and play the major tracks. but...if fun is what you're looking for stand out front by the finish line and cheer with the rest of the 2.00 bettors.

[unusialsusp5]

It is fun and it is beatable. For me, it's a lot easier to find inefficiencies in a market with a few thousand or tens of thousands of dollars than a sporting event with magnitudes greater volume. If you are serious and want to win though, you really need a sizeable rebate on your parimutuel action and it helps to have access to an exchange. One of the nice things about horse racing is that you can get a consistent amount of year around action as opposed to seasonal sports. If you want to take your game up a notch to the next level, however, toss the programs and start using at least one of the several commercial database handicapping apps out there. It also helps to develop proficiency in excel, access, and vba or another language.

i don't think this guy is ready for database handicapping apps just yet. appears he just wants to watch live racing for entertainment and bet a few bucks.

[Foxx]

i don't think this guy is ready for database handicapping apps just yet. appears he just wants to watch live racing for entertainment and bet a few bucks.

I hear you, but he was inquiring about "good money on a consistent basis."

[Foxx]

I'm very close to Charles Town, how are the races there?

I just checked, CT has been my worst track this year.

[RangeFinder]

Best thing I think to do for a newbie is to watch from home. You have multiple tracks and you can eventually find the ones that best suit your style. You have the larger tracks in the day and the smaller tracks at night.

[unusialsusp5]

I hear you, but he was inquiring about "good money on a consistent basis."

reading past performance lines whether drf, brisnet, or equibase to assign his "own" ML may also be a few years down the road for this guy. even seasoned veterans don't have the inclination to do that. maybe sticking to betting overlays from track handicappers ML's would be an easier direction for him to go. maybe betting the extremely popular .10 superfectas where he could spread a little and not lose much might work for him. download the "best way to play .10 supers" guide so he can master that angle.

[Foxx]

reading past performance lines whether drf, brisnet, or equibase to assign his "own" ML may also be a few years down the road for this guy. even seasoned veterans don't have the inclination to do that. maybe sticking to betting overlays from track handicappers ML's would be an easier direction for him to go. maybe betting the extremely popular .10 superfectas where he could spread a little and not lose much might work for him. download the "best way to play .10 supers" guide so he can master that angle.

Betting ML overlays or just haphazardly spreading on 10 cent supers are pretty sure ways to lose. I'll have to check put that .10 super article. The most exotic I normally get is exactas and doubles.

[unusialsusp5]

Betting ML overlays or just haphazardly spreading on 10 cent supers are pretty sure ways to lose. I'll have to check put that .10 super article. The most exotic I normally get is exactas and doubles.

not outlandish to stick to those two types of exotics. but for a lousy 2.40 a race you can put 2 horses on top, with those 2 plus 1 more for 2nd, those 3 plus 1 more for third, those 4 plus 2 more for fourth to create a pyramid dime super. fun bet for the budget minded and payout believe it or not is similar to a 1.00 exacta payout in same race. you can even get crazier with them and put all of them in the 4th position. not that much more expensive. it doesn't have to be done haphazardly as you can logically select horses for these positions with any type of handicapping knowledge.

[unusialsusp5]

not outlandish to stick to those two types of exotics. but for a lousy 2.40 a race you can put 2 horses on top, with those 2 plus 1 more for 2nd, those 3 plus 1 more for third, those 4 plus 2 more for fourth to create a pyramid dime super. fun bet for the budget minded and payout believe it or not is similar to a 1.00 exacta payout in same race. you can even get crazier with them and put all of them in the 4th position. not that much more expensive. it doesn't have to be done haphazardly as you can logically select horses for these positions with any type of handicapping knowledge.

don't quite understand why betting a 4-1 shot who was a 5/2 ML horse is a sure way to lose. better than playing an "underlay" one would think.

[Foxx]

don't quite understand why betting a 4-1 shot who was a 5/2 ML horse is a sure way to lose. better than playing an "underlay" one would think.

Those horses tend be dead on the board for a reason. 8/5 morning horses going off at 5/2 don't usually do very well.

[Roadtrip635]

The hardest part is sticking to your plan and staying disciplined. Don't get impatient and bet every race, stick to the one or two that you have a solid angle on and do your homework.

[pilebuck13]

Watched and went forever to San Anita with my grandpa he went almost daily he had some big wins but lost mostly.
So much harder to find data then major sport markets...idk ask yisman