Have you ever
participated in a horse race betting? Have you had any luck in rooting for a
winning horse? If not, you may have to reconsider the way you select your
horse.
Horse racing events,
such as the Kentucky Derby, have been giving its audience a chance to win big
money- on the condition that the horse you bet on wins the race. This
opportunity also extends to the online world, with different online bookies
facilitating bets worldwide.
With the convenience
of being able to gamble wherever you like, all you need to do is place your
bets carefully on the right horse. Hence, here are five things you should
consider when choosing a horse to bet on in horse racing.
The Horse's Racing Records
One of the most
important things to look for in choosing a horse to bet on is the horse's
records. Information on the records includes the profile (age, breed, weight),
past races, and past performances. These records detail the quality of
performance of the horse, and could also interpret the consistency of the horse
in terms of performance and winning.
A useful tool for
identifying a contender's record is the racing form. This contains specific
information on the race, such as the horses' profiles, their jockeys, trainers,
number, and stall position. This guide
helps those who want to choose a horse carefully and is accessible online for
those who want to, say, bet on the Kentucky Derby
with TVG.
Jockey and Trainer
Why consider looking
up the horse's jockey and trainer? This is because it takes the right amount of
experience and training to raise and train a horse. A horse's performance will
reflect on the trainer, and a good jockey can control the horse and has enough
stamina to ride throughout the race.
Studying the jockey
and the trainer's previous performance and the horses that have worked with
them is a good factor in determining whether the horse they are currently
handling has what it takes to win.
The Horse's Running Style
Another thing you
could study is the running style of the horse in races. This is a strategy that
can contribute to how they perform. There are three main running styles
observable in horse races: front runner, stalker, and closer. In some cases,
there is a hybrid or a mix of two or all of these styles.
Front Runner
Front runners are
those that run towards the front at the beginning of a race. The horse and
jockey make sure that they can run in the lead early on. They run at a moderate
pace, speed increasing as time passes, and maintain their lead the entire time
until they reach the finish line. This style is for horses who run fast and can
endure keeping a certain amount of speed.
Stalkers
Stalkers are horses
that don't try to take the lead, nor stay at the very back. They stay at a
certain distance from the front runners. Since they are close to the front
runners, they are in a position that gives them the chance to take the lead
when the leading horse gets overworked. This kind of running style is usually
popular and successful.
Closers
Closers are those
that keep a slow and steady pace from the back, waiting for an opportunity to
overtake those at the front during the last stages of the race. The jockeys
will often stop the horse from going too fast at the beginning, estimating when
they can make their move.
When the last stages
are nearing, the horse will slowly begin to overtake the other horses, some of
which are already tired from exerting too much stamina. This style is suitable
for horses with long endurance.
Starting Gate Position
One of the factors
that can determine a horse's victory is its starting position. A starting
position refers to where the horses are positioned before the race begins.
Horse racing employs a starting gate, a barrier that prevents the competitors
from getting ahead before the “go” signal.
Spectators have
theorized that the center stalls of the starting positions give the most
advantage to winning the race. The stalls are numbered from 1 to 20, with
number 1 in the very center, and number 20 at the far edge.
It was speculated
that the best position among the stalls is the number 2 spot, as there were 29
horses as of 2010 in that particular spot that won the race. Moreover, most
contenders prefer the spots from number 2 to number 10. There had been only a
few instances where the horses positioned at the edges won first place.
The Horse's Condition Before the Race
The state of the
horse moments before it goes to race is a critical factor as to how it
performs. A horse should be well-rested and well trained enough.
Look at the horses.
Do they seem energetic or healthy? Or do they look pale or exhausted? There is
a lot to consider here because horses in a bad physical and mental state may
lead to a lousy performance, such as weak stamina and even unwillingness to
run.
Takeaway
Betting is always a risky thing. However, horse racing is not just a game of luck. It also requires a lot of consideration and analysis. Hence, it's best to take a critical approach before choosing a horse you can bet on. Studying the profile of the lineup, as well as the provided details of the race, can always give you an insight into what will likely happen during the race.
