The Science of Horse Racing: It's All About Time

Thu Nov 16 2023Jennifer Kelly

From stopwatches to GPS tracking, the methods racetracks have employed over the last three centuries have sought to capture race times accurately for posterity and for punters.
How field sizes can affect win percentages

Wed Nov 15 2023J. Keeler Johnson

Many factors can influence the win percentages recorded by jockeys and trainers, both overall and in specific types of races. Ability and opportunity are two of the biggest factors, but another is field size—the number of horses entered in a race.
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Nov. 8, 2023

Wed Nov 08 2023Jason Beem

Jason opens the show discussing some thoughts on horse racing in larger media and racing films. Then he discusses some thoughts on racing at Delta Downs as well as post positions and handicapping. 
When a horse specifically targets a race, take notice

Wed Nov 08 2023J. Keeler Johnson

When handicapping high-profile graded stakes, it’s helpful to keep an eye on the racing news to determine which horses have been specifically pointed to the race and which are joining the field at the last minute.
When turf turns soft, look for longshot speed horses

Wed Oct 25 2023J. Keeler Johnson

When heavy rain strikes and a turf course becomes soft, consider upgrading the chances of frontrunners and speed horses. It can reap lucrative dividends.
The Science of Horse Racing: When Is Pedigree Useful?

Thu Oct 19 2023Jennifer Kelly

Understanding the influence of sire and dam and the right time to consider pedigree can make that information a useful part of your handicapping routine and give you more data to help you decide where to put your wagering dollar.
When well-bred horses debut, wait for the right time to bet

Wed Oct 18 2023J. Keeler Johnson

When a sibling or half-sibling to a high-profile racehorse debuts, it’s common for bettors to notice the elite pedigree and bet heavily, even if the sibling is debuting in a race that seems less than ideal from a pedigree perspective.
When chalky outcomes appears likely, consider the superfecta

Tue Oct 10 2023J. Keeler Johnson

Some bettors avoid playing races that seem likely to unfold in predictable fashion, because the payoffs are bound to be small. But sometimes the most likely outcome can pay surprisingly well, particularly if you embrace exotic wagers like the superfecta.
TwinSpires $2,500 NHC Qualifier Feeder: TwinSpires rolls out new $10 win bet tournaments

Wed Oct 04 2023Kevin Kilroy

Outside of working at a racetrack, to me, there’s no better experience as a handicapper than going to the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC). TwinSpires announced a new tournament, the TwinSpires $5,000 NHC Qualifier, offering two seats.
Betting Strategies: Building tickets with the market in mind

Fri Sep 29 2023Kevin Kilroy

In terms of building multi-race tickets, we are betting into the races blindly, meaning we do not have any tote information about where the money is going and who might be underlays or overlays. Therefore, a lot of horseplayers end up writing tickets that simply reflect their opinions of who could win, forgetting about the notion of value.
Identifying versatile sires can lead to lucrative payoffs

Tue Sep 26 2023J. Keeler Johnson

When a male racehorse enjoys success racing over a particular surface (dirt, turf, or synthetic), it’s easy to assume his progeny will follow suit. But sometimes they prove more versatile than expected.
When betting lightly raced juveniles, analyze the horses they’ve run against

Tue Sep 19 2023J. Keeler Johnson

When handicapping lightly raced juveniles who have only run one or two times, it’s helpful to examine the quality of horses they’ve competed against to get a feel for which runners are coming out of high-quality races.
The Science of Horse Racing: Bits

Fri Sep 15 2023Jennifer Kelly

From a simple snaffle to a Norton, the right bit is just as important as the saddle and the blinkers you see on your favorite Thoroughbred.