Winner – the horse that finishes first across the finish line; the reverse bet can be placed on a horse not to win.
Place – the first three finishers, in no specific order. If there are more than three places in the race, the bet is known as "Place" or "Prize."
Exacta – the first- and second-place finishers.
Trifecta – the first three finishers in the proper order.
Quinella – the best of two horses selected by the bettor.
Finish – a bet on a race where no horses are disqualified.
Racecourses website offers the following options for betting on races:
Single;
Double;
Triple Single;
Triple Express;
Quadruple Express;
Five Express;
Four Wins;
Five Wins;
Six Wins.
Horse Racing Betting Strategies
Experienced bettors use time-tested strategies to improve their chances for winning on horse races.
Trixie Strategy
The Trixie strategy involves selecting favorites and researching information about the horses' performance:
Research previous race results for the horses.
Bet on morning races, where it is easier to predict the favorites.
Use a two-favorite simplified betting system where the bet is one double express and two singles.
Experienced players choose odds 2.00 or higher and construct a system made up of four expresses: one triple and three doubles. The combinations, for example, would be: (A+B), (B+C), (A+C), (A+B+C).
With prices of 2.00 or more, a victory of two of the three selected horses will recover the stake, while a victory of all three horses will result in a profit.
Dutching
This technique consists of searching for exaggerated odds on favorites in different races, usually in the region of 4.00. By placing bets on a number of horses in different races and winning even one bet, the bettor will achieve a colossal profit.
Betters typically use scanning software to locate such opportunities.
The strategy has been called Dutch Schultz, a friend and associate of Al Capone.
Smart Money
This is the strategy of backing a sound outsider whose price shortens as the race approaches. Punters monitor the changing odds of the favorite as they analyze the form of the outsider. When the favorite's odds remain stable, and the outsider has shown improvement in the form in recent races, it's time to place the bet.
Backing underpriced horses can provide a long-term profit.
Key Considerations in Horse Race Prediction
Professional punters track statistics for years and consider numerous factors when making predictions.
Horse Age
Horses may race from the age of 2, with careers typically concluding by the time they are 5 years old. Younger horses have an advantage in sprints, with experience being a consideration in longer races or in races over jumps.
Rest Periods Between Races
Prior to betting, learn how long a horse rested prior to the race. An ideal period of rest for sprinters is approximately a month, with trainers giving less time for long-distance runners.
It is advisable not to bet on horses that compete regularly and have been demonstrating deteriorating form in recent races.
Provided that the trainer observes correct periods of rest, the horse will steadily enhance its performance.
Race Distance
Shorter races are less predictable as even a small mishap at the start can change the entire race. Longer races give horses more time to recover and make up for lost time.
Track Features
Experienced bettors always consider the characteristics of the race track. There are tracks that have tight turns, inclines prior to the finishing line, or other unique features that can influence the outcome.
Weight of Participants
Lighter horses gain speed faster, and heavier horses maintain speed longer due to inertia.
The jockey's weight is also important. It averages 60 kg, but inexperienced jockeys may carry additional weight to help with balance. Understanding this difference helps gamblers spot more experienced jockeys with a better chance of winning.
Surface Type
Race tracks can be grass, dirt, or synthetic and, occasionally, a mix of two or three surfaces on different sections of the track.
A surface that is too hard increases shock load and can be a contributing factor to joint injuries in horses. Too soft a surface can lead to hoofs getting stuck and leading to ligament swelling.
Good surfaces drain water and reduce dust.
Every horse performs best on a particular type of track surface.
Weather
Weather conditions have a significant contribution to races conducted outdoors. The weather forecast is always checked by professional bettors before they decide to place a bet because a downpour or heatwave may level the competition, enabling the outsiders to triumph.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Professional punters prefer examining professional trainers' and jockeys' performance statistics. The experience level of the jockey and the trainer could contribute significantly to a horse's chances of winning.
Trainers also prefer to work with specific jockeys and give the best horses to the most experienced jockeys. Punters can pick a horse with a higher possibility of winning by tracking the winning percentage of a trainer-jockey duo.
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