| If you have been handicapping horse races and trying | | | | horses are moving up or dropping down in class. |
| to win money then you probably know how difficult it | | | | Another benefit of handicapping those races is that I |
| can be. But did you ever consider the fact that all | | | | can see a good trainer claim a horse and follow the |
| horse races are not created equally? There are horse | | | | moves that he or she is making to improve the horse |
| races that are easier to handicap and also are very | | | | and win. Equipment changes help but there are other |
| profitable. | | | | things they do, such as changes in diet and exercise |
| Wise bettors keep track of their progress and wagers | | | | that will improve a horse. Some trainers like to claim a |
| so they can tell what they are good at and where | | | | horse and drop it in class if they are reasonably certain |
| their strengths are so that they can focus their efforts | | | | that their horse can win the race. The runner might be |
| and maximize their time to best advantage. Some | | | | claimed from the race for a lower price than they paid |
| people specialize in maidens while others prefer to | | | | for it, but the claiming check they receive, plus the |
| handicap turf races. | | | | purse money and any bets they win offset the loss in |
| The first thing I advise you to do is to keep records of | | | | claiming price. |
| what you wager on and how well you do. Keep notes | | | | All of these moves and the horses ability are more |
| and refer to them. Set aside a little time each week or | | | | transparent in claiming races. Most claimers have been |
| month to go over your bets and see where your | | | | running for a while and have shown what they can do, |
| handicapping strengths are. | | | | hence the term WYSIWYG. When I see a horse that |
| I have found that mid level claimers are the best races | | | | has demonstrated the ability to win at the $10,000 level |
| for me. I prefer the ones run on a dirt track or all | | | | for a fair trainer that has been claimed and is now in |
| weather track, too. The reasons I have found these | | | | the barn of a much better trainer, I know the horse will |
| races particularly profitable is that I can get good odds | | | | probably improve and win at a higher level. These bets |
| on horses that are improving and it is also easier to | | | | often are not appreciated by the public and good odds |
| compare the horses. | | | | can be found on them. |
| Claiming races are WYSIWYG races, meaning, "what | | | | The reason I stick with mid level claimers is that |
| you see is what you get." Very few good trainers put | | | | experience has shown the runners in the cheaper |
| a horse that can compete in a $25,000 claiming race | | | | races are just too inconsistent and sometimes have |
| for a purse of $25,000 in a race for a lower purse. It | | | | major problems. Once in a while they manage a god |
| just doesn't make economic sense. They put their | | | | performance but their record is so spotty it is |
| horse where it can be competitive and earn the most | | | | impossible to tell when that might be. |
| money. Training horses, after all, is a business and that | | | | Try sticking to mid level claiming races for a few |
| makes good business sense. | | | | programs and see how you do. Use a reasonable |
| So when I handicap a mid level claiming race and | | | | system and have realistic expectations and you may |
| compare the horses it is relatively easy to see which | | | | be pleasantly surprised by your own performance as |
| horse is capable of competing at that level and which | | | | a handicapper. |