The horse race is a fantastically short burst of excitement. Lasting no more than a couple of minutes, it mesmerizes spectators with its intensity and propensity for producing angst, surprise, and, always, heartbreak. For many it ends there, as a sport and a diversion-an opportunity for a day of fun and excitement at the races. For others, however, it is chance to not only watch the elation or dejection, but participate in it as well by putting money on the line. What was simply a diversion now becomes a risk, an investment, a chance to make or break. With proper education, however, betting on horse races is less gambling and more calculated risk-taking. The racing form is the best place to educate oneself, but it can be intimidating and downright impossible to understand without a little background knowledge.
The racing for can be utterly confusing. To many it is a jumble of characters-letters and numbers strewn about the page without rhyme or reason and designed to make the eyes sore and the head numb. A racing form understood, however, is an amazing source of valuable information. The racing form is a score card on the horse's career, detailing its achievements and failures, as well as its lineage and its jockey. Aside from its accounting of recent performances, it touches on the horse's general history, such as any trouble it has had or if there have been lapses in its racing activity.
A racing form is only useful if you know what it says and what it means. To that end, here are some pointers to explain the contents of the form:
Much of the form is logistical information, as its principal and primary use is as a program for the day's races. Thus, you will find race times, race types, tracks, and the purses for each race. Once you have found your race, however, look into the individual horse listings for the truly valuable information that can make or break your day, and your wallet.
Aside from the horse's name, you will find basic biographical information to identify the horse. The age of the horse will be indicated by a number, usually next to an abbreviation indicating the horse's sex, whether it be a colt, a filly, a thoroughbred, or a gelding. The color will also be abbreviated-the most commonly indicated colors include brown, bay, buckskin, black, chestnut, dun, pinto, roan, and white.
Sire and Dam. Knowledge of the horse's parents is commonly used by bettors looking to the horse's lineage as an indicator of potential performance.
The name of the horse's breeder is also found on the racing. A breeder's reputation may be cause for lowering expectations of a horse whose form otherwise looks good, or raising expectations for a horse whose form looks less promising.
The weight of the horse, including the jockey, will be listed as well and is closely followed for any unexpected fluctuation.
The racing form's greatest value comes in the form of the breakdown of racing results listed for each horse and broken down by race. Dates of past races, as well as the type of race, the conditions, the odds, and the purse will be listed for the horse's recent history. The table will indicate where the horse finished and, if it did not win, how far behind the winner it finished. It will also indicate whether or not the horse took any significant time off between races and whether or not if had any notable difficulties during races.
The racing for can be utterly confusing. To many it is a jumble of characters-letters and numbers strewn about the page without rhyme or reason and designed to make the eyes sore and the head numb. A racing form understood, however, is an amazing source of valuable information. The racing form is a score card on the horse's career, detailing its achievements and failures, as well as its lineage and its jockey. Aside from its accounting of recent performances, it touches on the horse's general history, such as any trouble it has had or if there have been lapses in its racing activity.
A racing form is only useful if you know what it says and what it means. To that end, here are some pointers to explain the contents of the form:
Much of the form is logistical information, as its principal and primary use is as a program for the day's races. Thus, you will find race times, race types, tracks, and the purses for each race. Once you have found your race, however, look into the individual horse listings for the truly valuable information that can make or break your day, and your wallet.
Aside from the horse's name, you will find basic biographical information to identify the horse. The age of the horse will be indicated by a number, usually next to an abbreviation indicating the horse's sex, whether it be a colt, a filly, a thoroughbred, or a gelding. The color will also be abbreviated-the most commonly indicated colors include brown, bay, buckskin, black, chestnut, dun, pinto, roan, and white.
Sire and Dam. Knowledge of the horse's parents is commonly used by bettors looking to the horse's lineage as an indicator of potential performance.
The name of the horse's breeder is also found on the racing. A breeder's reputation may be cause for lowering expectations of a horse whose form otherwise looks good, or raising expectations for a horse whose form looks less promising.
The weight of the horse, including the jockey, will be listed as well and is closely followed for any unexpected fluctuation.
The racing form's greatest value comes in the form of the breakdown of racing results listed for each horse and broken down by race. Dates of past races, as well as the type of race, the conditions, the odds, and the purse will be listed for the horse's recent history. The table will indicate where the horse finished and, if it did not win, how far behind the winner it finished. It will also indicate whether or not the horse took any significant time off between races and whether or not if had any notable difficulties during races.
About the Author:
David Gately has earned a reputation for quality in horse racing tips. This is due to his highly valued and tremendously priced weekly horse racing form, for the Sydney and Melbourne race meets.. Unique version for reprint here: Horse Racing Forms Demystified.
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