Betting on Horse Racing For Dummies

by Eng, Richard

• ISBN13: 9780764578403
• ISBN10: 0764578405
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-04-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

How to enjoy a day at the races-and bet to win! The last two years have seen a record number of Americans tune in for climatic Triple Crown races featuring Smarty Jones and Funny Cide; in 2004, television viewership jumped a whopping 61 percent over the record set in 2003, and the Belmont Stakes race itself drew a record crowd of more than 120,000! This easy-to-understand guide shows first-time visitors to the track how to enjoy the sport of horse racing-and make smart bets. It explains what goes on at the track, what to look for in horses and jockeys, how to read a racing form and do simple handicapping, and how to manage betting funds and make wagers that stand a good chance of paying off. Complete with coverage of off-track and online betting, it's just what anyone needs to play the ponies-and win! Richard Eng (Las Vegas, NV) is a racing writer and handicapper for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, a columnist for the Daily Racing Form, and the host of a horseracing radio program in Las Vegas. He was formerly a part of the ABC Sports team that covered the Triple Crown.

Author Biography

Richard Eng, a former researcher/writer for ABC Sports, has been involved in thoroughbred horse racing for more than 20 years. He currently hosts a radio show on horse racing.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(1)
About This Book	1	(1)
Conventions Used in This Book	2	(1)
What You're Not to Read	2	(1)
Foolish Assumptions	2	(1)
How This Book Is Organized	3	(1)
Part I: And They're Off! Horse Racing and the Betting Scene	3	(1)
Part II: How the Players and Factors Impact the Race	4	(1)
Part III: Gaining and Keeping a Competitive Edge	4	(1)
Part IV: Risky Business: Tackling More Advanced Bets	4	(1)
Part V: Playing Different Ponies and Different Venues	4	(1)
Part VI: The Part of Tens	5	(1)
Appendix	5	(1)
Icons Used in This Book	5	(1)
Where to Go from Here	6	(1)
Part I: And They're Off! Horse Racing and the Betting Scene	7	(70)
Playing the Ponies for Pleasure and Profit	9	(10)
Differentiating the Types of Horse Races	10	(1)
Before You Bet: Handicapping the Races	10	(2)
Eliminating losers and developing the race shape	11	(1)
Taking all factors into account	11	(1)
Playing the System: Parimutuel Wagering	12	(1)
Betting with Success	12	(3)
Starting off simply	13	(1)
Going for the score	13	(1)
Managing your money	14	(1)
Deciding Where to Bet	15	(1)
The racetrack	15	(1)
OTBs and Las Vegas	15	(1)
Home sweet home	16	(1)
Just for Fun: A Challenge Straight from the Horse's Mouth	16	(3)
All Horse Races Are Not Created Equal	19	(16)
Race Set-ups: The Long and the Short of It	20	(2)
Short races	20	(1)
Long races	21	(1)
Different Levels of Competition at the Racetrack	22	(10)
Maiden races: Where it all begins	23	(1)
Claiming races: Where every horse is for sale	24	(4)
Non-selling races: Another step up the ladder	28	(3)
Stakes and handicap races: The top of the pyramid	31	(1)
In a Class by Themselves: The Race for the Triple Crown and the Breeders' Cup	32	(3)
The Triple Crown	32	(1)
The Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships	33	(2)
Getting a Handle on Parimutuel Wagering	35	(12)
Betting Against Other Bettors	35	(3)
Comparing parimutuel wagering to poker	36	(2)
Attracting a new gambling audience	38	(1)
Beating the Takeout	38	(6)
How the takeout rate works	39	(1)
Different takeout rates for different types of wagers	40	(1)
Show plungers	41	(3)
Understanding Breakage	44	(1)
When Uncle Sam Comes to Visit	45	(2)
The Skinny on Betting	47	(14)
Starting Off with Straight Bets	47	(6)
Straight bets: Win, place, and show	48	(1)
Place and show pool payoffs	48	(1)
Dead heats and other sticky situations	49	(1)
Styles of wagering straight bets	50	(3)
Placing Your Bet	53	(5)
Options galore: Ways to make your bet	53	(3)
Rules to bet by	56	(1)
Proper procedure: How to call out a wager	57	(1)
Watching the Tote Board	58	(3)
More money bet to win than to place and show	58	(1)
Show plungers: A safe chance to make a score	59	(2)
Visiting the Racetrack	61	(16)
Preparing for the Cost of Attending the Races	61	(2)
Parking	62	(1)
Admission	62	(1)
Food and beverage	63	(1)
Seating: You Get What You Pay For	63	(4)
Turf club	64	(1)
Luxury boxes	64	(1)
Clubhouse	64	(1)
Grandstand	65	(1)
Track apron	65	(1)
Infield	66	(1)
Accessing Information: The Program and Other Resources	67	(1)
Watching the Races From Start to Finish	68	(1)
Looking at the track	68	(1)
Viewing closed circuit television	69	(1)
Understanding the Layout of a Racetrack	69	(6)
Placement of the poles	70	(2)
Clubhouse and far turn	72	(1)
Paddock and walking ring	72	(1)
Winner's circle	73	(1)
The backside	74	(1)
Rewarding Yourself and Your Family	75	(2)
Player reward programs	75	(1)
Breakfast programs	75	(1)
Playgrounds for the kids	76	(1)
Part II: How the Players and Factors Impact the Race	77	(50)
Studying Horses in the Paddock and during Post Parade	79	(8)
Dissecting the Anatomy of a Horse	79	(1)
Examining Horses in the Paddock and Walking Ring	80	(3)
Positive traits to pick from	81	(1)
What isn't worth your wager	82	(1)
Watching the Horses during the Post Parade and Warm-Up	83	(4)
Qualities to bet on	84	(1)
Attributes to avoid in a horse	84	(3)
Riders Up: The Importance of a Jockey	87	(8)
Winning Jockeys Share Certain Traits	87	(4)
Fewer mistakes on the track	88	(1)
Timing	89	(1)
Low weight	90	(1)
Anticipation	91	(1)
Considering a Jockey's Experience Level	91	(2)
Apprentice riders: Are rookie jockeys worth it?	91	(1)
Money riders: Why trainers seek them out	92	(1)
Betting by the Book: Statistics	93	(1)
Comparing Viewpoints	94	(1)
Calling the Shots: Trainers and Owners	95	(10)
Taking the Trainer into Account	95	(7)
A winning team	96	(1)
A trainer's trends and tells	97	(5)
Owners: There's No Racing without Them	102	(3)
The expenses of horse ownership	103	(1)
The joys of owning	104	(1)
Knowing the Track Surface and Conditions	105	(12)
Scratching the Surface: Rating the Main Dirt Track	106	(4)
Fast	107	(1)
Good	107	(1)
Muddy	108	(1)
Sloppy	109	(1)
Frozen	110	(1)
Giving a Little TLC: Main Track Maintenance	110	(2)
Crowning	110	(2)
Blading	112	(1)
Making the Grade: Turf Course Ratings	112	(2)
Tuning In to Track Biases	114	(3)
Main track biases	115	(1)
Turf biases	116	(1)
Zoning In on Equipment Changes	117	(10)
Blinkers --- On or Off	118	(3)
Why and when blinkers are used	118	(2)
Different cups	120	(1)
Why and when blinkers come off	121	(1)
Bits of Helpful Information	121	(1)
That's a Wrap: Bandages	122	(2)
Rear bandages	123	(1)
Front bandages	123	(1)
``Fixing'' a Horse's Chances	124	(1)
Lasix: Just Saying Yes to Drugs	125	(1)
Getting Good Footing on the Importance of Horseshoes	125	(2)
Part III: Gaining and Keeping a Competitive Edge	127	(58)
Starting with the Right Tools: The Daily Racing Form and More	129	(20)
Reading the DRF's Result Charts and Past Performances	130	(13)
Nuts and bolts: How all this information fits together	130	(4)
How I like to read the past performances	134	(3)
Separating the contenders from the pretenders	137	(1)
Seeking positive and negative trends	138	(3)
Knowing when horses will bounce	141	(1)
Moving up and down: Form curves	142	(1)
Beyond the DRF: Other Important Tools	143	(3)
The racetrack program	143	(2)
Handicapper's selections in the local newspaper	145	(1)
Daily Racing Form Simulcast Weekly	146	(1)
Calling All Big Shots: Resources for Advanced Horseplayers	146	(3)
Brisnet	146	(1)
Equiform	146	(1)
Ragozin Sheets	147	(1)
Thoro Graph	147	(2)
Trying Your Hand at Handicapping	149	(20)
What Is Handicapping Anyway?	150	(1)
Doing Your Prep Work	150	(4)
Buying the Daily Racing Form	151	(2)
Getting the morning line	153	(1)
Developing the Race Shape	154	(7)
Separating the running styles	155	(2)
Considering the track surface	157	(3)
Changing your strategy for scratches	160	(1)
Finding Value in the Odds	161	(3)
Looking for overlays	161	(2)
Knowing when to beat 'em and when to join 'em	163	(1)
The Importance of Post Positions	164	(2)
Post positions in sprints and routes	165	(1)
Post positions in turf racing	165	(1)
Weight Matters (or Does It?)	166	(1)
Trite, But True, Cliches	167	(2)
You can beat a race, but you can't beat the races	167	(1)
The speed of the speed	167	(1)
Pace makes the race	168	(1)
Horses for courses	168	(1)
Planning Your Wagers	169	(6)
A Winning Strategy: What's the Big Deal?	169	(1)
Getting To and From the Betting Window with Your Game Plan Intact	170	(2)
Writing down your bets	171	(1)
Checking your tickets for mistakes	171	(1)
Developing a Winning Pattern of Wagering	172	(3)
Figuring out what kind of horseplayer you are	172	(1)
Keeping track of your bets	173	(1)
Allowing yourself to almost be right and still win money	174	(1)
Making the Most of Your Bankroll	175	(10)
Knowing Your Own Personality and Temperament	175	(1)
Keeping Your Emotions in Check	176	(1)
Making Your First Bet of the Day a Winning One	177	(1)
Differentiating Your Bets: Action, Prime, and Going for the Score	178	(2)
Getting in on the action	178	(1)
Picking a prime bet	179	(1)
Going for the score	179	(1)
Wagering a Little to Win a Lot	180	(2)
Betting Favorites to Avoid Losing Streaks	182	(1)
Using Percentage Wagering over Same-Size Wagering	182	(1)
Chasing Your Losses: Don't Do It	183	(1)
Staying Within Your Means: Scared Money Never Wins	184	(1)
Part IV: Risky Business: Tackling More Advanced Bets	185	(72)
Betting Exotic Wagers	187	(18)
Getting Value from an Exotic Wager	187	(1)
Making Multiple-Horse Bets	188	(4)
Exacta	189	(1)
Quinella	190	(1)
Trifecta	190	(1)
Superfecta	191	(1)
Placing Wagers on Multiple Races	192	(8)
Daily double	193	(1)
Pick 3	194	(1)
Pick 4	195	(1)
Pick 5	196	(1)
Pick 6	197	(1)
Place pick all	198	(1)
Future bet	199	(1)
Betting Styles	200	(5)
Keying a horse	200	(1)
Saving money with part-wheels	201	(1)
Using the all button	202	(1)
Boxing	203	(2)
Getting Into Sophisticated Handicapping	205	(30)
Taking a Scientific Approach: Advanced Handicapping Resources	206	(10)
Beyer Speed Figures	206	(1)
Formulator 4.0	207	(1)
Ragozin Sheets	208	(1)
Thoro-Graph	209	(1)
The Xtras on Equiform	210	(1)
Brisnet	210	(1)
Pace numbers	211	(1)
Sample pages	212	(4)
Considering Class Changes	216	(9)
Getting outclassed	216	(1)
Moving way down in class	217	(1)
Graduating from maiden races to facing winners	218	(1)
Dropping from maiden special weight to maiden claiming	219	(1)
Moving between open company and restricted state-bred races	220	(1)
Entering a claimer in a non-selling race	221	(1)
Respecting a key race	222	(2)
Staying at the bottom	224	(1)
Trip Handicapping	225	(2)
Paying attention to the horses to watch list	225	(1)
Watching the replays	226	(1)
Common Sense Guidelines	227	(8)
Eliminate losers	227	(1)
Bet a horse that bounces back	227	(1)
Decipher hidden middle moves	228	(1)
Forgive a horse that doesn't finish the last start	229	(1)
Look for Lasix	230	(1)
Spot a sprinter stretching out	230	(1)
Watch for winners that run a low Beyer	231	(1)
Try a horse that turns back in distance	232	(1)
Keep an eye out for surface changes	233	(1)
Remember horses for courses	233	(2)
Taking On Handicapping Tournaments	235	(12)
Knowing the Rules and Requirements	235	(4)
Tournament format	236	(1)
Scoring	237	(1)
Entry fees	238	(1)
Strategizing for Success	239	(4)
Play to a number	239	(1)
Handicap the races early	240	(1)
Maintain your focus	240	(1)
Arrive at acceptable odds	240	(1)
Save some bullets for the end	241	(1)
Play multiple entries	241	(1)
Be careful of cap horses	242	(1)
Pray for luck	242	(1)
Headin' to Vegas: Big-Money Tournaments	243	(4)
The Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association National Handicapping Championship	243	(1)
The Horseplayer World Series	244	(1)
Other Las Vegas tournaments	245	(2)
The Race for the Triple Crown: Picking a Kentucky Derby Winner and More	247	(10)
Derby 101: What You Need to Know	248	(1)
The Not-So-Terrible Twos: Why 2-Year-Old Horses Should Race	248	(1)
Beware the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Jinx	249	(1)
Watching the Kentucky Derby Prep Races	250	(2)
Following (or Not) the Buzz on Public Horses	252	(1)
Getting into Place: The Importance of Post Position	253	(1)
Going for It All: What Happens after the Kentucky Derby	254	(3)
Picking a Preakness winner	254	(1)
Betting on the Belmont Stakes	255	(2)
Part V: Playing Different Ponies and Different Venues	257	(50)
Harness Racing: It'll Drive You Wild	259	(14)
Harness Racing Equipment	260	(2)
Comparing Pacers and Trotters	262	(2)
Pacers	263	(1)
Trotters	264	(1)
Defining the Lingo of Harness Racing	264	(2)
Handicapping Harness Race-Style	266	(4)
Sizing up the racetrack	266	(1)
Considering the driver's importance	267	(1)
Paying attention to past performances	268	(1)
Getting a grip on trip handicapping	268	(2)
Championship Races	270	(3)
American Quarter Horse Racing: Don't Blink or You'll Miss It	273	(6)
Horse Racing That's Short and Sweet	273	(3)
Handicapping Factors in Quarter Horse Racing	276	(3)
Distance	276	(1)
Class	277	(1)
Post position	277	(1)
The break	278	(1)
The gallop out	278	(1)
Visiting Your Local OTB: Off-Track Betting	279	(8)
In the Beginning: New York City OTB	279	(3)
Getting the idea off the ground	280	(1)
Starting off on the wrong foot	280	(1)
Studying OTB's effects on New York racetracks	281	(1)
A New Era for OTBs	282	(1)
Finding an OTB Nearby	283	(1)
What to Look for in an OTB	284	(3)
Televisions	284	(1)
Lots of betting windows or machines	285	(1)
Freebies (or at least low prices)	285	(1)
Food and beverage	285	(1)
Spacious seating --- and plenty of it	286	(1)
Betting from Home	287	(10)
Doing Your Research	287	(2)
Wagering by Telephone	289	(5)
Considering your options	289	(4)
Getting the best deal	293	(1)
Watching the Race in Your PJs	294	(3)
Network television	294	(1)
Cable	294	(1)
Television Games Network	295	(1)
HorseRacing TV	296	(1)
Viva Las Vegas	297	(10)
Finding the Race Books That Suit Your Needs	297	(2)
Earning Comps: Using What's Rightfully Yours	299	(1)
Playing in Contests and Twin Quinellas	300	(1)
Wagering the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup in Las Vegas	301	(3)
Placing future book bets	302	(1)
Dipping into the parimutuel pool: Kentucky Derby and Oaks Future Wagers	302	(1)
Catching the race in the next best place: Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup parties	302	(2)
Betting Against the Casino	304	(2)
House quinellas	304	(1)
Parlays	305	(1)
Comparing Las Vegas with Other Locales	306	(1)
Part VI: The Part of Tens	307	(26)
Ten Best Bets and Betting Angles	309	(8)
Lone Speed	309	(1)
Win Bets	310	(1)
Daily Double	311	(1)
Pick 3	311	(1)
Pick 4	312	(1)
House Quinella	312	(1)
Third Start off a Layoff	313	(1)
Running First Time for a Claiming Price	314	(1)
Speed Horse Turning Back in Distance	314	(1)
First-Time Gelding	315	(2)
Ten Best Racetracks to Visit	317	(8)
Arlington Park	317	(2)
Belmont Park	319	(1)
Churchill Downs	319	(1)
Del Mar	320	(1)
Gulfstream Park	320	(1)
Keeneland	321	(1)
Lone Star Park	322	(1)
Monmouth Park	322	(1)
Santa Anita Park	323	(1)
Saratoga	323	(2)
Ten Common Betting Mistakes	325	(8)
Not Betting a Horse to Win	325	(1)
Betting Too Many Racetracks	326	(1)
Betting On Bad Favorites	327	(1)
Getting Shut Out	328	(1)
Not Looking at the Race Changes	328	(1)
Practicing Bad Money Management	329	(1)
Chasing Your Losses by Betting More Money	329	(1)
Overlooking a Winning Horse	330	(1)
Forgetting to Check Your Tickets	330	(1)
Getting Touted Off a Horse	331	(2)
Appendix: A Glossary of Horse Racing Lingo	333	(12)
Index	345