| Horse racing handicapping is a tough way to make | | | | because it means that there may be a good place |
| money but some people do manage to eke out a | | | | bet in the race. While the second favorite may be a |
| profit. Sometimes you have to think out of the box, | | | | good horse and have a good shot of being second |
| however, if you want to make money. While the | | | | or perhaps even upsetting the favorite, if it is bet |
| majority of people bet to win or play the exotic | | | | down in the place pool, it may still be a poor place |
| bets, the place and show pools often go unnoticed | | | | bet and that means that another contender for the |
| by most horse players. Yet there they are race after | | | | place spot is being under bet, making it a good place |
| race and thousands are poured into those pools. | | | | bet. |
| Who is betting place and show and why? It has been | | | | As odd as it may first appear, the favorite may |
| proven that there are overlays in those pools that | | | | actually become a good place bet if the second |
| can be profitable, though not so glamorous bets. One | | | | favorite is overrated. If the second favorite fails to |
| thing I look for when deciding if there is room in the | | | | at least place and the favorite wins, all that money |
| place pool for a good bet is a second favorite that is | | | | that was wagered on the second favorite in the |
| being hammered in the place pools. | | | | place pool will be divided between the backers of the |
| It happens almost every day at almost every track, | | | | favorite and whichever horse manages to come in |
| but not in every race. If you watch the place pool | | | | second. This is a horse racing angle that often is |
| amounts, however, you will find that in some races, | | | | often over looked. |
| the second favorite is getting a disproportionate | | | | When you handicap the race, look at the top |
| amount of the place money. The situation usually | | | | contenders and see how much is bet to place on |
| occurs in a race where the favorite appears very | | | | each one. You will have to wait until post time to be |
| strong and there is another horse that seems much | | | | sure that one or more of them is being over looked |
| better than the rest of the field, but not on a par | | | | in the place pools, but you will often find a good |
| with the top horse. | | | | place bet if you are patient can really identify |
| When you see that one horse is getting lot of place | | | | contenders who may place. |
| money, that is a red flag, or perhaps a green one, | | | | |