Short handicapping lesson

[Grits]

Originally Posted by fjh513

New member and a relative newcomer to horseracing...

With the season just around the corner here in NJ, I need to revamp my handicapping "skills" and sure could use help. I haven't had much luck in the past. My bets are mostly exacta / tri boxes, and I also enjoy playing rolling pick 3's,with one race being a single to keep the costs manageable.
I would like to ask you guys /girls how you narrow the field when looking over a race. How do you toss out the non-contenders ?
Is there a quick "system" you use that makes you focus on horses you like in that race ? something that can be done in the time between races ?
I appreciate you help and good luck with your picks.

Easy Goer, good morning.

I hope that fjh will continue to wager and enjoy the game. His comment here does not seem to indicate success.

And fjh, I'll give you another thought in wagering to win, and this may be helpful. I hope so.

Download or purchase the hard copy of pps of your choice.

HANDICAP ONLY THE THREE PUBLIC CHOICES IN ANY RACE. Do not look at any other horses in each race. Don't bother with anything else, just those three.

After handicapping these, choose from the three, the horse you think mostly like to win.

Do this exercise, mythically, for several days, weeks even.

I believe you may be able to attain a more successful rate of return than continuing to approach the game only through wagering exotics.

As I said, exotic wagering is quite expensive for someone new to this game, and you are chasing your losses, trying to win it back, most often . . . three jumps out of the gate.

Much good luck, fjh!