Most Powerful Handicapping Angles

[dean smith]

Don't forget to be on the lookout for omens and keep a pad and pencil on the nightstand to write down your dreams for later analysis. Remember, it is just as important to read your tea leaves as it is to read your racing form. When I handicap I always make sure I surround myself with various lucky charms and on big event days (as well as the second Sunday following any new moon), I make sure the sacrifice of a live chicken or goat takes place.

If a horse shows up in the program with the same name or has similar markings as your dead cat, do not dismiss this as "coincidence" or mere superstition. Certain celestial phenomena and planetary alignments often times provide big payouts to those in tune with the heavens. A horse with the same name as your deceased pet may be the cosmos' way of telling you something....especially if it happened to be a fast cat.

[dean smith]

Okay, the superstition angle was B.S.

Don't know if it falls into the "angle" catagory, or if it's just something to watch out for, but second-timers coming off disappointing debuts in which they broke slowly or held an inside post along the rail are worth a second look. The dirt being kicked in their face for the first time and/or the rail messing with their psyches can make their first trip a trying one. I read this or heard it on the show (can't remember which) and it makes a lot of sense.

Otherwise, I'd really stress the MSW to Maiden Claiming that someone mentioned before as a general handicapping rule or angle.

[infield_line]

when a first line barn tries a young horse in an allowance or stakes without success(but showing some talent), they will be dropping them for a tag at a level that they should be very competitive. The idea is that Pletcher, Dutrow, Baffert, don't have time to play around with horses destined for the claiming ranks........ they want a claim.. today

I also love 3 year olds that have been on the shelf and given time to grow up after an initial race or two to gain some experience

I/L

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

claiming horses that have won at the level entered today after getting beat in a higher class race.

2nd time starters in msw that get a better post position ie 10 hole or wider to the 1-8 hole

[Payson Dave]

Mdn 1st or 2nd time starters who worked in company with and out finished a non-mdn... having a double out time after the wire of two eigths each of which is under 14 seconds