| They say a change is as good as a rest and that is | | | | just because it is in a different stall, eating a different |
| certainly true when it comes to horses. They require | | | | feed, or perhaps being handled by different people. |
| stimulation like any other living being. Horse racing | | | | The secret of winning with claiming horses isn't so |
| handicapping is all about finding the horse that will | | | | difficult to understand. When you claim a horse, treat it |
| surprise the crowd with a better than expected | | | | well and make a big deal of it. Give it extra attention, |
| performance. So the obvious place to find a winner is | | | | more grooming (only if it is one that likes it and most |
| any horse that has just had a change. | | | | do) and good food. |
| This is especially true in the claiming ranks. A good tip | | | | The horse will usually perk up and show a renewed |
| to find a winner is to look for a horse racing for a new | | | | interest in winning. That is why some people think |
| trainer. Some trainers have trained a horse and lost it in | | | | certain trainers are geniuses when it comes to claiming |
| a race only to claim it again somewhere down the line. | | | | and winning with a horse. The trainer knows that |
| If you want to make money betting on claiming races, | | | | horses will respond to a change, especially the old |
| keep track of which horses are racing for a new barn | | | | campaigners who have been grinding it out in the |
| and find out if the trainer ever had the horse before. | | | | claiming ranks. |
| That trainer may have figured some things out about | | | | Your job as a handicapper looking to make some |
| the horse, like which feed it likes the best, or perhaps | | | | money betting on those races is to keep track of |
| which workout routine suits it. Another change is the | | | | which horses are racing for a new barn and to look |
| groom who is caring for the horse. Perhaps that horse | | | | the horse over carefully in the saddling ring and |
| has a favorite groom and maybe the groom likes the | | | | paddock. If the horse looks like it is sharp, then it has |
| horse. It isn't always the company the horse is keeping, | | | | responded to the owner's efforts and may improve |
| though. | | | | from its last race. |
| The horse may improve, take a new interest in racing, | | | | |