Quarter Horse Tips
Following are some handicapping factors that can be used to
aid in placing a wager:
Straightaway American Quarter Horse racing is an all-out
burst of speed from the starting gate with every horse trying to
put a head in front at the finish. There is no time to maneuver
for position or come from behind in the final stretch run as in
Thoroughbred racing. Therefore, the experienced handicapper can
concentrate on speed, class, jockey/trainer combinations and
track conditions without having to spend time trying to predict
how the race will be run.
The American Quarter Horse may be America's most consistent
athlete. In 1993, American Quarter Horse wagering favorites
finished in the money (first, second or third) 71% of the time,
while winning 35%. Those are figures that can't be claimed by
Thoroughbred or Standardbred racing! But that's not saying
American Quarter Horse racing lacks the excitement of winning
long shots. With 39% of the horses finishing first, second or
third going off with odds of 5-1 or greater, you know the exotic
wagers must have paid some handsome rewards.
The key is knowing how to cash in on those rewards yourself.
But how? The answer is knowledge. If you're a smart handicapper
you'll do your homework by learning everything you can about the
horse, its rider, trainer, bloodline, competition and even the
surface the horse will run on.
1. Class. Class is probably the most important factor
in handicapping. Analyze everything you see, hear or read in the
context of class. In the most basic sense, class refers to the
ability to win, produce winners and develop high quality,
competitive races. Class not only involves racehorses, but sires
and dams, owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys, races and even
tracks. Think of class in terms of levels of excellence and a
competitive edge. Here's an example of class in a racehorse
compared to other athletes. During the 1987 National Football
League strike, many talented athletes replaced striking players.
The replacements made for some exciting Sunday afternoons. But
only a few of the replacements were able to keep their jobs when
the striking players returned. The reason? They were simply not
up to the superior play of the regulars. In other words, they
were outclassed. The same can be true of a racehorse. For
instance, a horse that may win with a fast time in claiming
races would probably lose when going against horses that
regularly participate in stakes race competition with similar
race times. Here's how class relates to a racetrack. A horse
with a 96 speed index and first place finish at Sunland Park is
not necessarily the same as a horse with a 96 speed index and
first place finish at Remington Park. Although both are two of
American Quarter Horse racing's finest racing facilities,
Remington Park emphasizes American Quarter Horse racing, carries
many more graded stakes and the average purse structure is
significantly higher, thus attracting more of American Quarter
Horse racing's premier performers.
2. Before Race Day Preparations. In order to evaluate
the entrants in any race, you'll need historical data or past
performances, as they are called.
3. Reading between the lines.
The past performance information for each horse in a race is
there in black and white for everyone wagering on the race to
follow. The only way you can out-handicap the competition is if
you can read between the lines.
4. RACE FREQUENCY.
As many as 10 of a horse's past races are listed by date
beginning with the most recent race. TIP - Look for excessive or
irregular layoffs between races which could indicate a fitness
problem that could keep the horse from running true to form.
Conversely, look for a history of regular layoffs with an
immediate return to peak form.
5. TRACK CONDITION.
Weather can change a track's condition quickly. Dirt tracks are
rated as follows: ft-fast; sy-sloppy; m-muddy; gd-good; sl-slow;
hy-heavy; fr-frozen. TIP - Horses that performed well in
conditions similar to today's could have the edge.
6. DISTANCE.
There are three types of races in American Quarter Horse racing:
short sprints of 220, 250, 300, 330 and 350 yards; long sprints
of 400, 440, 550 and 660 yards; and distance or races around one
turn of 770, 870 and 1,000 yards. TIP - Determine the horse's
suitability to today's distance. A horse that performs well at
short distances could fade during a longer race. And conversely,
a horse that breaks slowly but performs well in the stretch may
need the extra distance to win. In some cases, American Quarter
Horses, which have not been top performers at short or long
sprints, may become competitive at 870 yards.
7. TYPES OF RACES.
Maiden, Speed Index, Trial, Claiming, Allowance, Handicap and
Stakes. You'll find a more complete description later and in the
glossary. TIP - Think of race classifications as levels of the
class of horse they attract with stakes races being the highest
and $2,000 maiden claiming the lowest. The conditions of a race
(non-winners of two, three or four) or claiming prices
($2,000-$20,000) are significant differences in the same type of
race.
8. POST POSITION.
At certain times or conditions, tracks might have surfaces which
favor the inside, middle or outside post positions. Most
programs list the percentage of wins from each post position.
Some horses also favor certain post positions. TIP - On races
around the turn, unless a horse has a great deal of early speed
to go to the front and take the inside rail, an outside post
position is definitely a disadvantage. A fast-breaking horse
that usually wins when it breaks first can have an edge when
positioned with room to run. Look for horses that break well
with a post position between two horses that generally do not
get away fast. In straightaway races, the one hole is generally
a disadvantage, while the outside might be an advantage.
9. POSITION CALLS.
A horse's position during a race and its lengths behind the
front-runner are generally described at four locations along the
race: the break call at two strides or ten yards from the
starting gate; the first stretch call at the 1/8 pole or 220
yards from the finish; the second stretch call at the 1/16 pole
or 110 yards from the finish; and at the finish. TIP -
Positioning and ability to make up ground can reveal a lot about
the horse you're evaluating; his suitability to today's
distance; and a pattern of improvement as the race progresses.
10. MEDICATIONS.
The two types of legally permitted medications are Bute and
Lasix. Bute is an anti-inflammatory drug used to reduce
stiffness. Lasix is a diuretic used to treat respiratory
bleeding some athletes experience. TIP - If a horse is on the
first-time Lasix list and has shown good early performance in
past races but has faded toward the end, the effects of Lasix
might make a difference in his next race.
11. EQUIPMENT.
The symbol "b" indicates the horse wore blinkers during a race.
TIP - A horse which has been running erratically and shows to be
wearing blinkers for the first time might be a good wager.
12. WEIGHT.
The total amount of weight a horse is required to carry
(including jockey and tack). TIP - In American Quarter Horse
racing, weight is not a major factor in the shorter races.
However, in races of 440 yards or more, it does have some
importance. The horses with the best performance records may be
required to carry the most weight in an attempt to make a more
even contest. Look for a horse's ability to carry more weight in
his previous races.
13. TIME and INDIVIDUAL TIME.
The time of the race (the winner's time) and the time of the
individual horse are shown in seconds and hundredths of seconds.
TIP - Use best recent times at today's distance, conditions and
racetrack. Keep the different elements of class in mind while
making your comparisons.
14. SPEED INDEX.
The speed index is an evaluation of a horse's speed in a race
versus the three fastest winning times for the same distance
each year for the previous three years at the same racetrack.
TIP - An average of best recent speed indexes is a good basis
for comparison. Again, keep the elements of class, wind and
track condition in mind.
15. JOCKEYS.v
At any given track, there is a broad range of talent. Generally
speaking, the best horses will have the best riders (ones who
can be found on the leading rider list in your program). TIP -
Jockey changes can affect the outcome of a race. For instance,
if you note that a leading jockey has been taken off his regular
mount and switched to another, you could have a better chance of
a winning wager on his new mount.
16. TRAINERS.
As with jockeys, any given track will have a broad range of
trainers, with varying degrees of expertise and experience. TIP
- Pay attention to their winning percentages, not just their
total wins, as a good trainer with a few horses will never lead
the trainer's list. Try to keep track of a trainer's ability
with different classes or ages of horses. Some trainers are
better with claiming horses, while others concentrate on stakes
performers.
17. BREEDING.
A listing of horse's sire, dam and dam's sire. TIP - As a
general rule, pedigree has a significant influence on a horse's
natural ability to run. Keep note of the leading sires and dams
as well as breeders and owners when considering class. This is
especially true when handicapping two-year-olds and first-time
starters.
18. MONEY LINE.
The number of starts, wins, places (second), shows (thirds) and
purse money won this year and last year. The lifetime total of
wins and in-the-money (first, seconds and thirds) and lifetime
purse money. TIP - Can be an indication of improvement or
deterioration and class. Compare percentages of wins,
in-the-money or average money earned per start.
GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS
Blanket Finish - Or photo-finish in which two or more
horses are very close at finish (one can "Throw a blanket over
them"). Very common in American Quarter Horse racing.
Bullring - A racetrack with either a half-mile or
5/8ths mile oval.
Register of Merit - A Register of Merit is designed to
establish a record of outstanding performance. There are three
Registers of Merit- one for racing, one for halter and one for
performance events- but not a separate Register of Merit for
each performance event. A horse has received at least one
official Speed Index Rating of 80 or higher in racing. Qualified
horses registered with the Jockey Club of New York City will be
listed and treated as racing Register of Merit qualifiers for
all purposes except that they shall not receive a certificate of
Register of Merit or year-end awards. Until 1956 a Grade A was a
75 or better speed index, 1957 to 1975 Grade AA was an 85 or
better. From 1976 to 1985 a Register of merit could be earned by
an 80 or better speed index or by earning 10 racing points. From
1986 to present a Register of Merit could only be earned by a
speed index of 80 or better.
|
Register of Merit |
| TAAA- |
100 |
| AAA- |
95 |
| AA- |
85 |
| A- |
75 |
| B- |
65 |
| C- |
55 |
| D- |
45 |
Schooling Race - A non-pari-mutuel preparatory race,
which conforms to requirements adopted by the state racing
commission.
Tongue Strap - Strap or tape bandage used to tie down
a horse's tongue to prevent choking in a race or workout.
Trial - Race in which eligible horses compete to
determine the finalists in a nomination race.
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