Horse Racing Handicapping by Following Selected Horses, the Pros and Cons

How well do you know the horses that race at your local track? It may be the best system for picking winners. At one time, many people followed individual horses and got to know them pretty well, including their likes and dislikes and conditions. Year ago, a handicapper could look at one of his or her favorites in the paddock and know whether it would be a good day for that runner based on its condition and mood.

As horse racing has evolved over the years, more and more horses are bred every year. In addition to that, it is now possible to play many more tracks due to simulcasting, off track betting, even internet betting. Therefore, other than the people who work with the horses every day, most people are unfamiliar with the horses they wager on. To them, it is just a name and a number attached to past performances.

If you are a person who just likes to gamble and doesn't pay much attention to the animals as athletes, that's fine, but some people really like the idea that horse racing is a sport and involves living creatures and not only that, knowing the animals may result in some good information.

Years ago people followed horses and jockeys at their local tracks. I believe it is still more common in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Europe.

While the only drawback to actually following each horse is the time it takes, there are several good reasons to follow the horses and watch them closely. For one thing, it may make horseracing more enjoyable for you. Another benefit is knowing when to bet and when to lay off a horse, no matter what you see on paper. There is no substitute for inside information when it comes to horse racing handicapping. Knowing the horses and your own track is still the best system for picking winners.

The most consistent horse racing systems have to have the basics and a handicapper must understand the basics. I have been around horse racing for 50 years including as an owner. Without the basics the rest is not going to do any good. If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://williewins.homestead.com/truecb.html and get the truth.

Bill Peterson is a former horse race owner and professional handicapper. He comes from a horse race handicapping family and as he puts it, "Horse Racing is in my blood." To see all Bill's horse racing material go to http://williewins.homestead.com/handicappingstore.html, Bill's handicapping store.

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