Horse Racing for Dummies / Beginner here

[seanm0520]

I've gone to my local track (Meadows - Washington, PA) a few times and have a blast betting horses in their book. They have the live feeds from all the tracks and it's quite a lot of fun. I think what I love most about it is within 4-5 minutes of your bet you know if you've won or lost. Now of course I only $2 or $3 a bet and strictly as recreation.

However, so far to this point, I've just been picking a race and picking odds I like, and bet accordingly. Might as well be throwing darts, I know. It's been fun but betting like this obviously just prolongs the inevitable. They offer those daily magazines/insight books or whatever for like $5 and my big question is, I guess, what should I be looking at for information? I know horse racing has a lot to it but certainly there is info in those mags even a beginner like myself could use.

Or are there some decent tips everyone should use? In terms of track? Or speed? Or breed? Just looking for some decent starting points guys. Any help is much appreciated:toast:

 

[cocktailsnlongshots+]

fer a novice, check out... owner/trainer...trainer/jockey combos...racing form will show win% fer these type of stats...the first page on the form when u open usually gives an appendix to which all the little marks and notations mean thruout the form...it's not an overnite thing...lil by lil u pick up things..like 'horses 4 the course' and 'dropdowns'....dive in and have a go at it

 

[seanm0520]

Thanks man. How about time numbers? At least the times I've gone out there, usually seems like the heavy odds that have no shot always pull out to big early leads and then the favorites crush them in the closing legs. Do they put how each horse runs on the turns and stuff in those books?

 

[oldmanTED]

seanm0520

If you are really serious about learning more about horse racing, you must start with learning how to read the Daily Racing Form (DRF). This is the newspaper you see many at the track reading. They are reading the Past Performances of each horse in every race. I am going to give you the link to the DRF Home Page. Once you have clicked on the link, then look for "Tools" and scroll down to "Fan Education" and it will show you another menu with a choice on "Learn To Read The DRF". Read the instructions as it enhances each section and tells you what each line means. Let's start you there first. Here are two links.

www.drf.com

http://www.drf.com/flash/drf_pp_tutorial.html

 

[seanm0520]

Thank you very much!

 

[cocktailsnlongshots+]

it's what we are here 4 if u are into the game!...

 

[seanm0520]

That DRF tool is extremely helpful. Now I won't sit there wondering exactly what the hell is laid out in front of me, haha.

 

[oldmanTED]

seanm0520

That DRF tool is extremely helpful. Now I won't sit there wondering exactly what the hell is laid out in front of me, haha.

Be patient. It takes time to learn to read the form and then how to apply it. Just for fun, you may have noticed that I have a daily thread called the DRF Race Of The Day. In that thread I provide the entries, past performances and scratches for the race. Here is the link to tonight's past performances. It is a little more advanced version of the standard version. Try and read it if you like and then post who you think will win in my thread. Promise me one thing however, please do not bet on it. Lets help you learn first. It's free. I don't want you losing money while your learning.

http://www.drf.com/formulator-web/f...vening=D&raceNumber=8#past-performance-race/8

 

[Lil_Filly]

Advice I got when I was starting out... watch for overlays. Look for morning line favourites that close at higher odds (in the 5/1-9/1 range). Overlays are easy to spot, without all the stats stressing you out while you learn to read them.

 

[PimpyMcPimp]

Here are a couple of books, both in pdf format, that I had on my harddrive that are good for beginners to read.

The first is "Learn to Play the Races" and the second is "Winning Techniques." Both are Daily Racing Form publications from 2004.

I put them in a zip file and you can download it here:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HI41WPCB

Best of luck playing the ponies!