Horse races are thrilling and exciting, and have a long history in our culture. While luck plays a major role in winning a race, handicapping makes the experience more enjoyable and gives the bettor some control over how much money they make or lose. While there are countless books and thousands of websites on the subject, everyone has their own opinion about which factors are most important to consider when picking a winner.
A horse has to be physically fit in order to perform its best. This is determined by examining its past performance line. The number of races a horse has run, as well as the quality of those races is important in determining its fitness level. A horse that has won a number of races against better competition should be considered more fit than one that hasn’t.
The way that a horse has been trained is also very important. Horses are trained to race by exercising them vigorously and working them over different terrain types, including dirt, grass and artificial surfaces. Trainers try to develop a training regimen that is consistent and balanced, so that the horse will be at its peak when it is ready to race.
When looking at a horse’s past performance line, a handicapper should look at the dates of the horse’s last race. The longer the gap between a horse’s last race and the next race, the more difficult it will be for him to be at his best for the current event. A good handicapper will demand consistency from a horse before he’ll wager a significant amount of money on it.
Odds are displayed on the monitors at a horse track and indicate how much you can win for every dollar you bet on a particular horse. The odds are calculated by subtracting the available payout from the total amount of money bet and dividing it by the number of dollars you bet on a horse. The odds are then displayed in one of two formats: 4-7 or 2-5.
The most important factor in handicapping a horse is the ability to assess its fitness. Injuries, illness and training methods are all factors that could derail a horse. The veterinary staff at a horse track is responsible for diagnosing and treating any injuries that may occur during or after a race. The most common ailments include: