How do horse races work?

How to choose a horse for a harness race?

Another way to choose your horses is to use the race program. The program shows you important characteristics like speed, class, driver/trainers, and order of finish. Using all of the information in the program can give you a complete picture of each horse in a harness race.

What is the most important aspect in handicapping harness racing?

With regards to the most important aspect, Keller goes on to say, “The most important aspect to handicapping harness racing is good early speed as shown in form from the last two-three races. I want a horse that wants the lead and wants to wire the field.

How to Handicap a horse in harness racing?

You have to choose between the two main methods of harness racing handicapping, or you can use a combination of both. One method is to become a regular watcher of the races. Remember that harness races can often race once a week.

What do you need to bet on a harness horse?

The number of the horse (or horses) that you want to wager – A common mistake made by novice harness racing bettor is going up to the window with just the name of the horse you want to bet. It is the number (or numbers) that you’ll need to tell or enter into the machine.

What is the most important part of handicapping a horse?

“The most important aspect of handicapping is visualizing the trip and predicting the fractions along the way,” states Scott Alberg (Pen). ”Visualizing the trip enables you to envision the position of each horse at each mile marker. Predicting the fractions along the way allows you to determine the stamina of the pacesetters.

Why are Standardbreds used for harness racing?

The relatively short legs, dense muscles, and longer bodies of this breed meant they were prepared for the task. Additionally, the Standardbred’s calm nature, friendliness, and quick learning trait made it the ideal choice for harness racing.

What is the most important aspect to handicapping in horse racing?

Many horses with “good” final times are beaten an easy 7-10 lengths, tagging along for the ride at the end of the pack.” With regards to the most important aspect, Keller goes on to say, “The most important aspect to handicapping harness racing is good early speed as shown in form from the last two-three races.

Can You bet on horse racing through a phone line?

Race tracks were permitted by the state to set up phone lines that bettors could call to make their bets. The bettor would establish an account with the track, call the phone line, and tell the operator which bet they wanted to make. There were some difficulties with telephone betting from the start.

How to handicap Standardbred horse races?

Distance of the track is the biggest factor in handicapping standardbred races. Next, know the gait of the race. If the race is a trot, you have to give different consideration to post positions. While, on a half-mile track, the inside posts are usually the better ones, not in a trot.

Why bet on harness racing?

Having a bet on harness racing can be a lot of fun and it is exciting cheering home your selection. This guide to betting and bet types is designed to simplify the process as much as possible.

How do horse racing handicap ratings change?

Changes to the official horse racing handicap ratings When a horse receives a handicap rating, that will not stay the same forever. Horses are rated based on their first few runs. If a horse wins a race then they are given a rating based on that, but if not they have to run three times before they can have a rating.

Do exposed horses run better than their handicap mark?

While exposed horses are capable of running to their handicap mark and winning when it is their turn, sometimes you will need a horse that is far better than their handicap mark. These are often young, unexposed runners who have not had many runs.

How much do you get back on a 2 1 bet?

If you bet $2 on a horse that pays 2-1 you will receive a little under $6 back when that horse wins. But on a place and show bet you do not receive the odds that are listed on the tote board.

Is handicapping overrated in horse racing?

Zanakis states, “The most overrated handicapping tool is that of pure speed handicapping. The final times of a race are used but the manner in how the race was won will have a greater impact on the horse’s ability. Look at two horses with wins in 1:52 flat.

How does exotic betting work in harness racing?

Exotic bets allow you to speculate on the performance of more than one horse, and that could be in a single race or over multiple races. Popular exotic bets include the exacta, trifecta and daily double. How Does Pari-Mutuel Wagering Work in Harness Racing? Pari-mutuel wagering is based on a series of pools of wagers.

How to bet on harness racing?

With harness racing betting markets available, you also need to know how to wager effectively on it. Additionally, you have to know which bookies offer odds for harness racing. Once you’ve got a few tips on it, then you can see whether or not there is any value in placing bets.

What does 1st and 2nd pay in horse racing?

If a field has less than eight runners then place bets will pay on 1st and 2nd. For a place bet to win, your horse must run a place. Eight or more runners will pay 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

How are handicaps determined in horse racing?

The racing officials that determine handicaps use many factors, some of which will involve watching race films, assigning a value to the event and the field participating in that event, recent times, and many more. All this data is used to determine how much weight a particular horse should carry for any specific event.

What happens if a horse runs in a race from WA?

Elsewise, the turmoil induced by a horse from WA running in a race in VIC or NSW would have the punters and the bookmakers running for the hills. Victorian handicappers, in addition to handling handicapping duties in Victoria, fill the same role for Tasmania. Western Australia places a “+” symbol after the race rating.

What does it mean to withdraw a horse from a race?

It’s as simple as that. This withdrawal can take place any time: in the days before the races or at a much later stage – like between the Final Declaration and the Off. The Final Declaration is when the racecard is formed and all the horses intending to run in are announced.

What does pulled up mean in horse racing?

In horse racing terminology, pulled up means that a horse stopped running part way through the race and did not finish. Usually, this is because the jockey chose to stop the horse. This may be because they felt it had no chance of winning, or because the horse developed a problem or an injury.

Can you change the result of a horse race?

At this point the result of the race is official and cannot be changed as far as betting results are concerned. Weight Allowance: If the jockey is inexperienced then they are given a certain weight allowance to account for that fact.

Why do horses get pulled-up in the Grand National?

Every year in the Grand National a large number of the runners will get pulled-up. This essentially means that the jockey has decided the horse can’t keep going and so he takes it out of the race. This is the best way that a jockey can take care of the horse.

What happens if a horse gets tired in a horse race?

If a horse seems tired or off balance, or in any way like it is not capable of finishing the race, then it will be pulled up and disqualified from the race. So, the health and wellbeing of the horses is of the utmost importance in horse racing.

What does it mean when a horse is pulled up?

The term “pulled up” refers to the act of a jockey pulling hard on the reins to stop a horse in the middle of a race, often indicating the horse may have been injured or taken a “bad step.” At the very least, the rider may have believed something had gone wrong.

What does it mean when you bet on a horse?

Some bettors will place a wager on a horse “across the board,” meaning they are putting a certain dollar amount on that horse to either win, finish second or third. If the horse wins, the bettor gets paid out on all three positions.