| It sounds so simple and makes perfect sense when | | | | What I mean by that is that when you finally get so |
| you say it. Just master speed handicapping and you | | | | you can rate horses well enough to know each ones' |
| will know which horse is the fastest and which one is | | | | fair chances of winning, you will have to convert that |
| most likely to win. After all, isn't the fastest horse the | | | | to a minimum odds that will show a profit. |
| most likely winner? Well yes, and no. The problem | | | | Let's take the example of a method of handicapping |
| is that no single factor in horse racing can be taken | | | | that looks at three factors, speed, class, pace. |
| singly and stand on its own. | | | | Suppose you determine that when a horse is one of |
| It is true that there are spot plays that are based on | | | | the top three class horses of the race and in the top |
| one factor, such as the only early speed in the race, | | | | three for speed in its last race, and has enough pace |
| etc. If you try to make a profit with such things, | | | | to be within two lengths of the lead at the half mile call, |
| however, you will find that they are easy to spot and | | | | it wins about 25% of the time. You can convert that |
| therefore, usually bet down to an unprofitable price. | | | | into fair odds to make a profit. If it wins one out of |
| The more complicated the system you use, the more | | | | four times, then 3-1 odds will be the break even point. |
| likely that you will be the only one or one of few who | | | | While other people may bet the horse with the fastest |
| are using that method. Of course, it also means | | | | pace, or the horse with the most class, or the speed |
| more work and more things that can go wrong. | | | | horse of the race, your pick may not necessarily be |
| Rather than trying to master one single factor, which, | | | | any of those and yet, by combining factors, you can |
| by the way is pretty darned tough, it might be better to | | | | estimate its chances of winning well enough to put a |
| get good with three or four important points in a race | | | | price on it and make a profit. That is the whole game |
| and combine them using your own unique method. | | | | in a nutshell and why it is so much better to use more |
| Remember, however, that whatever you do will | | | | than a single factor in horse racing handicapping. |
| eventually have to be converted to dollars and cents. | | | | |