| If you go to the horse races and want to pick | | | | horse to win, place, or show. |
| winners without a lot of work, it can be done, but | | | | There are other clues to help you as well. Any horse |
| you will not be as successful in the long run as a | | | | that is sweating a lot before the race is probably not |
| professional handicapper. On the other hand, for a | | | | a good bet. This is known as being washy. A little |
| pleasant day at the races, there are a few tips to | | | | sweat is okay but a lot of sweat is a bad sign. |
| help you enjoy cashing winning tickets. First of all, win | | | | Horses don't have toes, but there is a saying around |
| bets are probably the best bet if you want a chance | | | | the track that a horse is on its toes. That simply |
| to make a profit, if you get lucky that is. | | | | means a horse is prancing and seems to have springs |
| Win bets are simple and there is nothing like the thrill | | | | in its legs. You will notice some horses look |
| of watching your horse cross the finish line first. On | | | | remarkably calm while others seem to be excited. A |
| the other hand, if all you really want to do is to cash | | | | little excitement is a good thing because it means |
| a ticket, you can bet place or show. Your horse can | | | | that one is ready to run. |
| be first or second to collect on a place bet and to | | | | If you want to take your recreational handicapping to |
| collect on show, your horse simply has to come in | | | | a higher level, you can include trainer stats or jockey |
| first, second, or third. So for the show bet you get | | | | stats to your observations in the paddock. In your |
| three chances to win. | | | | program you'll find the win averages of the top riders |
| One of the nice things about being at the race track | | | | and trainers. Look in each race for the top trainer or |
| is that you get to look at the horses before they | | | | rider in the race and then look at that person's horse |
| race. Thoroughbreds are beautiful animals to watch, | | | | in the paddock. |
| whether you are betting or just watching. Go to the | | | | If the top jockey is on the horse that looks the |
| paddock area and watch them being saddled. To | | | | best, then you probably have a runner who will at |
| spot a horse that is likely to run a good race, look | | | | least come in first, second or third. Because this is a |
| for the horse that has the shiniest coat. I know it | | | | very obvious situation, however, don't expect to get |
| sounds ridiculously simple, but the fact of the matter | | | | long shot odds. You'll have to settle for a relatively |
| is that the healthiest horse may also run the fastest. | | | | small payoff, but if all you want is to back a winner, |
| A shiny coat is a good indication of a horse that is in | | | | then this could be a good bet. |
| good health and condition. You can bet the shiniest | | | | |