Horse racing is one of the most exciting sports to bet on. It’s been around for hundreds of years and over the past couple of decades, the wagers have mostly stayed the same, with bettors placing their bets on the horses they know will win. The sport is relatively easy to understand and it’s always a possibility of getting lucky and hitting a winning streak. The question is, how do you bet on horse racing like a pro? There are certain guidelines you need to follow in order to place successful bets on the ponies and knowing which ones to avoid is essential in order to make sure you win more often than you lose.
Know Your Racing Circuit
Horse racing is generally divided into three types of races, which are the Flat Races, the Million Dollar Steeplechase, and the Grand National. The Flat Races are run at a flat pace and are the most frequently bet races of the year. The Steeplechase is a long-distance race that starts at a slow pace and picks up as the runners approach the finish line. The Grand National is the biggest of the Flat Races and it’s run at a fast pace throughout most of the race, with only the final furlong or so keeping the same speed as at the start. The winner is usually considered to be the horse that finishes first or seconds among the runners behind.
Pick Your Horse
This is one of the most important aspects of betting on horse racing. The term ‘pick your horse’ actually comes from a phrase used by horse trainers and jockeys to describe the process of choosing the horse that will run the best race, based on the track conditions and the others in the field. It’s a very involved process and it usually takes place several weeks or months before the day of the race. When picking your horse, you need to take into consideration various aspects like the past performances, the jockey’s input, and the horses’s pedigree. If you’re new to betting or if this is your first time picking winners at the races, make sure to check out the tips below on how to pick a winner.
Study The Form
The form of a horse is something that you need to look into when picking a winner. The term ‘form’ is short for ‘running form’, which simply means the way the horse travels across the track when exercising or racing. You need to know what kind of form the horse is in and if it’s been exercising well in order to make an informed decision on which one to back. If you’re not sure what kind of form a horse is in, then find out before placing your wager. It’s also essential to study the trends in the form of the horse. For example, if you notice that a certain horse tends to win a lot of their races on their home track or in certain weather conditions, it’s usually a good idea to avoid backing them, as there’s a chance they might be a little unpredictable on the move.
Know The Jockey
Betting on horse racing is a lot more fun when you know the jockey. The jockey is the person who controls the speed and direction of the horse in a race and it’s always a possibility of getting the wrong one. A lot of the times, the jockey will work towards gaining the favor of the betting public by giving good racing views and interesting anecdotes about the horses and the races. Familiarize yourself with the jockeys’ input by checking out their tips and stats. You can also find out more about them by looking at their résumé, which will usually display their previous employers, the mounts they’ve participated in, and the major awards they’ve won. If you’re not familiar with any of these people, then maybe it’s a good idea to stay away from them. Chasing after every tiny bit of form that comes along is great if you want to have fun, but if you want to be successful, then it’s best to bet on experienced jockeys.
Know The Trainer
The trainer is the person who brings the horses in shape for the races and it’s a role that can be quite demanding, especially in the case of prep races like the Derby. The Derby is one of the biggest and most prestigious races of the year and it’s run more than once a year, with five runs in the United Kingdom. In order to be qualified to train the horses for the Derby, you need to have won a certain amount of races before the age of four. It’s essential to know who is training the horse and why they are training it. If you’re ever unsure of whether or not to back a horse based on its trainer’s input, then it’s usually a good idea to steer clear. There are many crooked trainers out there, who will do everything in their power to make sure you lose as little money as possible.
Know The Horse
The horse is the center piece of every betting scheme and it’s crucial that you know what you’re getting into. The term ‘know your horse’ actually comes from the phrase used by horse trainers and jockeys to describe the process of choosing the horse that will run the best race, based on the track conditions and the others in the field. If you’re not sure what kind of horse you’re getting, then make sure to ask the person who is, as this will help you make the right choice. The key to picking winners is knowing what makes each horse unique and special. The more you know about these characteristics, the better. Horses are like people, in that they have good qualities and bad qualities; one key difference is that you can’t change the bad qualities of a horse, once it becomes part of its identity. Knowing these things about the horse will help you make the right choice as to which one to back and hopefully, lead you to some big wins.
Follow The Money
Most people think of horses as majestic animals that you ride or groom, but they’re actually just a vehicle for money. The money that is bet on horses is mostly from legal gambling activities, like lotteries and casinos. People who spend their time and money on horses, do so because they think it’s fun and they want to experience the thrill of riding a winner. Knowing how much money is wagered in each of the major races and on which ones there is most money on, gives you a good idea of which ones to back and which ones to avoid. If you want to place large bets and want to be sure of winning, then back those races with the most money on them and the biggest prizes. Big wins will lead you to more money and more exciting opportunities.
Have Fun!
As long as you keep in mind the tips and advice discussed above on how to bet on horse racing like a pro, then you’ll be able to have a lot of fun betting on the ponies. The thrill of backing a winning horse is incredible and it’s something you should experience at least once in your lifetime. Remember, enjoy the experience and take your time. Have patience and know when to walk away. There’s no rush to make big profits in a short amount of time. It takes a lot of experience to be able to predict the winners of big races with confidence, so don’t get discouraged if you lose sometimes. Besides, having fun is the best way to ensure you come back for more, when it comes to betting on horses.