Handicapping Question...

[FlBred]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

If there was a winning formula we'd all be rich. Ultimately you need to look for what sort of angles you are good at finding on the PPs and seeing how that works.

Agreed, but my question is more along the lines of with so many DIFFERENT angles which is probably the easiest for a beginner or casual player to look at and have SOME success?

[joeydb]

Ainslie's book is definitely a good overall resource. The guy was good, RIP. Some of the info in there will be overcome by events, now that many of the jockeys he refers to are retired, as are many of the sires and dams for breeding.

After reading a general book, like Ainslie's, you might want to pick one book from each of the major subdisciplines: speed handicapping, pace handicapping, breeding angles and possibly something on trip handicapping.

For speed handicapping, start with "Beyer on Speed", by Andy Beyer
for pace handicapping, read "Modern Pace Handicapping" by Tom Brohamer.

For breeding angles, read something by Lauren Stich.

Trip handicapping, since it is the most subjective, might lend itself to a video with examples. I think DRF or one of the other publications like American Turf Monthly have videos hat would help.

At some point after learning about the handicapping schools of thought, get something good on wagering. My favorite is Barry Meadow's "Money Secrets at the Racetrack."

You are delving into an immense, and rewarding, hobby. Take your time and enjoy the sport. It's worth the effort.

[FlBred]

Originally Posted by joeydb

Ainslie's book is definitely a good overall resource. The guy was good, RIP. Some of the info in there will be overcome by events, now that many of the jockeys he refers to are retired, as are many of the sires and dams for breeding.

After reading a general book, like Ainslie's, you might want to pick one book from each of the major subdisciplines: speed handicapping, pace handicapping, breeding angles and possibly something on trip handicapping.

For speed handicapping, start with "Beyer on Speed", by Andy Beyer
for pace handicapping, read "Modern Pace Handicapping" by Tom Brohamer.

For breeding angles, read something by Lauren Stich.

Trip handicapping, since it is the most subjective, might lend itself to a video with examples. I think DRF or one of the other publications like American Turf Monthly have videos hat would help.

At some point after learning about the handicapping schools of thought, get something good on wagering. My favorite is Barry Meadow's "Money Secrets at the Racetrack."

You are delving into an immense, and rewarding, hobby. Take your time and enjoy the sport. It's worth the effort.

Thx for the info Joey! I have been betting on horses for a few years but mainly just on big race days and then I tend to play trainers and jockeys. I also will be making my way to TOGA in August for the 3rd consecutive year. I have decided to to try and learn the handicapping aspect so that maybe I can atleast sound like I know what im talking about and maybe catch some winners....again thx for the insight

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by FlBred

Agreed, but my question is more along the lines of with so many DIFFERENT angles which is probably the easiest for a beginner or casual player to look at and have SOME success?

The simplest, earliest, most basic handicapping revolves around past performance comprehension of current form, condition and race shape.

Without worrying about a single "angle", getting a grasp on how each entrant 'fits' within the conditions of 'today's race' will generally allow you to seperate the field into contenders, non-contenders and longshots. From there, a pace scenario generation should further help you identify a wagering approach to the contenders based on price and and personal bankroll application approach.

Later on you can begin to finalize or enhance your selections based on some of the esoteric 'angles' you've come to notice, but you can be successful without any overly ornate set of angles.

[the_fat_man]

I see quite a few of these posts on the numerous forums I frequent. This is a tough situation to be in: a newbie in a very difficult game overall without a clear path as to how to get started, let alone get better. The problem, as I see it, is that most of the suggestions are coming from the same direction. Reading all the staple authors, IMO, is NOT the way to go. What you get from them is how to handicap ABSTRACTIONS. So you have speed figures and speed points and pace figures and high percentage trainers and 1st time this and third time that, and energy this and velocity that and super duper software this and magic software that etc.

This is ALL BS.

Put all of these MOFO's in a room and I guarantee you that IF you were to seriously apply yourself and just watch races and keep copious notes for 3 months, you'd probably know more about the game itself than they do. The key to getting a clue in the game is understanding races; understanding setups. The game is about the race, after all, not about someone else's interpretation of the race, which is an abstraction.

So, watch races and get your angles from the races. These angles work.
I guarantee you that after a year of doing this you will be laughing at some of the **** the 'experts' are spewing.

Of course, the problem is that this path requires quite a bit of time and effort. So, the other way is probably more appealing to most. ALL IN!!

[gales0678]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

I see quite a few of these posts on the numerous forums I frequent. This is a tough situation to be in: a newbie in a very difficult game overall without a clear path as to how to get started, let alone get better. The problem, as I see it, is that most of the suggestions are coming from the same direction. Reading all the staple authors, IMO, is NOT the way to go. What you get from them is how to handicap ABSTRACTIONS. So you have speed figures and speed points and pace figures and high percentage trainers and 1st time this and third time that, and energy this and velocity that and super duper software this and magic software that etc.

This is ALL BS.

Put all of these MOFO's in a room and I guarantee you that IF you were to seriously apply yourself and just watch races and keep copious notes for 3 months, you'd probably know more about the game itself than they do. The key to getting a clue in the game is understanding races; understanding setups. The game is about the race, after all, not about someone else's interpretation of the race, which is an abstraction.

So, watch races and get your angles from the races. These angles work.
I guarantee you that after a year of doing this you will be laughing at some of the **** the 'experts' are spewing.

Of course, the problem is that this path requires quite a bit of time and effort. So, the other way is probably more appealing to most. ALL IN!!

fat a newbie s/b fair warned also that people at the track have to eat to and sometimes what looks good on form , numbers , etc , etc , doesn't necessarily transalte to what happens when the gates open

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by gales0678

fat a newbie s/b fair warned also that people at the track have to eat to and sometimes what looks good on form , numbers , etc , etc , doesn't necessarily transalte to what happens when the gates open

I think if they were to take a poll of all those on the backstretch they'd probably tell you that the reason they're there is because of all the huge scores they make betting their horses.

[gales0678]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

I think if they were to take a poll of all those on the backstretch they'd probably tell you that the reason they're there is because of all the huge scores they make betting their horses.

humans tend to become a product of their enviroment , when they get to eat the "cake" , they want it more and more , but , sometimes the icing is a different flavor the next week ....

much like life fat , if we all just had 1 piece of cake for desert , life would be a bit easier