| Many years ago men and women who learned | | | | fare in a race, it might be a good idea to take a lesson |
| handicapping basics from harness racing often went | | | | from harness horse handicappers and estimate each |
| on to become good thoroughbred handicappers. The | | | | runner's ability in each of the parts of a race. |
| reason for that was often that harness handicappers | | | | For instance, in a six furlong race, you can break it |
| understand pace very well and break a race into | | | | down into three quarters. The first two furlongs are |
| quarters. A one mile harness dash is looked at in neat | | | | the first quarter, the next two are the second quarter |
| quarters that are timed. | | | | and the final quarter is the last two furlongs. Next, |
| This arrangement helps a harness race handicapper to | | | | based on past performances in similar situations, |
| gauge a horse's ability and energy during a race. | | | | estimate how fast each horse will run the first and |
| Seeing a horse that raced a good first three quarters | | | | second quarters and where that will place the horse |
| of a race who manages a decent last quarter while | | | | as it enters the final leg of the race. |
| covering more ground in the two path, helps a harness | | | | Now estimate each horse's final quarter. The results |
| racing handicapper to rate the horse in its next race. | | | | may surprise you and place horses in the trifecta that |
| Many people watch a thoroughbred race and think | | | | you didn't think would have a chance to be in the top |
| that the horses are running faster in the home stretch | | | | three finishers. While thoroughbreds run and are less |
| than they did at the beginning of the race. That is not | | | | controlled in their race than Standardbred, the amount |
| usually the case. Horses, especially thoroughbreds, | | | | of energy available and the expenditure in each |
| usually run faster in the early stages of the race. If you | | | | quarter will ultimately determine where the horse |
| want to understand pace and how each horse will | | | | finishes in the race. |