Betting on Horse Racing For Dummies

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ISBN: 9780764578403 | 0764578405
Cover: Paperback
Copyright: 4/1/2005

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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.

Introduction

(1)

About This Book

(1)

Conventions Used in This Book

(1)

What You're Not to Read

(1)

Foolish Assumptions

(1)

How This Book Is Organized

(1)

Part I: And They're Off! Horse Racing and the Betting Scene

(1)

Part II: How the Players and Factors Impact the Race

(1)

Part III: Gaining and Keeping a Competitive Edge

(1)

Part IV: Risky Business: Tackling More Advanced Bets

(1)

Part V: Playing Different Ponies and Different Venues

(1)

Part VI: The Part of Tens

(1)

Appendix

(1)

Icons Used in This Book

(1)

Where to Go from Here

(1)

Part I: And They're Off! Horse Racing and the Betting Scene

(70)

Playing the Ponies for Pleasure and Profit

(10)

Differentiating the Types of Horse Races

(1)

Before You Bet: Handicapping the Races

(2)

Eliminating losers and developing the race shape

(1)

Taking all factors into account

(1)

Playing the System: Parimutuel Wagering

(1)

Betting with Success

(3)

Starting off simply

(1)

Going for the score

(1)

Managing your money

(1)

Deciding Where to Bet

(1)

The racetrack

(1)

OTBs and Las Vegas

(1)

Home sweet home

(1)

Just for Fun: A Challenge Straight from the Horse's Mouth

(3)

All Horse Races Are Not Created Equal

(16)

Race Set-ups: The Long and the Short of It

(2)

Short races

(1)

Long races

(1)

Different Levels of Competition at the Racetrack

(10)

Maiden races: Where it all begins

(1)

Claiming races: Where every horse is for sale

(4)

Non-selling races: Another step up the ladder

(3)

Stakes and handicap races: The top of the pyramid

(1)

In a Class by Themselves: The Race for the Triple Crown and the Breeders' Cup

(3)

The Triple Crown

(1)

The Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships

(2)

Getting a Handle on Parimutuel Wagering

(12)

Betting Against Other Bettors

(3)

Comparing parimutuel wagering to poker

(2)

Attracting a new gambling audience

(1)

Beating the Takeout

(6)

How the takeout rate works

(1)

Different takeout rates for different types of wagers

(1)

Show plungers

(3)

Understanding Breakage

(1)

When Uncle Sam Comes to Visit

(2)

The Skinny on Betting

(14)

Starting Off with Straight Bets

(6)

Straight bets: Win, place, and show

(1)

Place and show pool payoffs

(1)

Dead heats and other sticky situations

(1)

Styles of wagering straight bets

(3)

Placing Your Bet

(5)

Options galore: Ways to make your bet

(3)

Rules to bet by

(1)

Proper procedure: How to call out a wager

(1)

Watching the Tote Board

(3)

More money bet to win than to place and show

(1)

Show plungers: A safe chance to make a score

(2)

Visiting the Racetrack

(16)

Preparing for the Cost of Attending the Races

(2)

Parking

(1)

Admission

(1)

Food and beverage

(1)

Seating: You Get What You Pay For

(4)

Turf club

(1)

Luxury boxes

(1)

Clubhouse

(1)

Grandstand

(1)

Track apron

(1)

Infield

(1)

Accessing Information: The Program and Other Resources

(1)

Watching the Races From Start to Finish

(1)

Looking at the track

(1)

Viewing closed circuit television

(1)

Understanding the Layout of a Racetrack

(6)

Placement of the poles

(2)

Clubhouse and far turn

(1)

Paddock and walking ring

(1)

Winner's circle

(1)

The backside

(1)

Rewarding Yourself and Your Family

(2)

Player reward programs

(1)

Breakfast programs

(1)

Playgrounds for the kids

(1)

Part II: How the Players and Factors Impact the Race

(50)

Studying Horses in the Paddock and during Post Parade

(8)

Dissecting the Anatomy of a Horse

(1)

Examining Horses in the Paddock and Walking Ring

(3)

Positive traits to pick from

(1)

What isn't worth your wager

(1)

Watching the Horses during the Post Parade and Warm-Up

(4)

Qualities to bet on

(1)

Attributes to avoid in a horse

(3)

Riders Up: The Importance of a Jockey

(8)

Winning Jockeys Share Certain Traits

(4)

Fewer mistakes on the track

(1)

Timing

(1)

Low weight

(1)

Anticipation

(1)

Considering a Jockey's Experience Level

(2)

Apprentice riders: Are rookie jockeys worth it?

(1)

Money riders: Why trainers seek them out

(1)

Betting by the Book: Statistics

(1)

Comparing Viewpoints

(1)

Calling the Shots: Trainers and Owners

(10)

Taking the Trainer into Account

(7)

A winning team

(1)

A trainer's trends and tells

(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

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Betting on Horse Racing For Dummies

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

FREE SHIPPING

Rent More, Save More! Use code: BBRENTAL

5% off 1 book, 7% off 2 books, 10% off 3+ books

Betting on Horse Racing For Dummies

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Digital License