Handicapping a Horse Race
There are several factors to consider when handicapping a horse race. Luck is the most important factor, of course, but handicapping makes it easier to predict the outcome of a race. Horse races are a lot more fun when you know how to bet. Handicapping gives you a little more control and gives you something to chew on.
Place bets
There are several ways to place bets on horse races. First, you can bet on the place of a horse that finishes in the first two, third, or fourth. This is a common way to place money on a race. The odds of a horse finishing in the first place are usually around four to one, so you should expect to get back your stake and some money as well.
Place bets are less risky than win bets, but pay out less than show bets. You can still win money if your horse finishes second or third, but you’ll only win half of your money.
Pari-mutuel betting
Pari-mutuel horse race wagering is the only form of horse racing betting legal in the state. In 1959, pari-mutuel wagering at thoroughbred horse races accounted for $2.4 billion. Currently, seven million visitors gamble at Nevada casinos, bringing in an estimated $3 billion a year. In contrast, the LDS church opposes pari-mutuel betting in the state.
Pari-mutuel horse race wagering uses the same systems as the stock and financial markets, but the prices of bets are set by the entire betting community. This is a major difference from most other forms of gambling, where individual players make their own decisions based on their own personal motives.
Headgear
Horses can improve their performance when wearing the right headgear. While some punters assume that wearing headgear will reduce the horse’s performance, it can actually improve it. In fact, some of the world’s greatest racehorses have dominated the track while sporting the proper headgear. Typically, connections nominate the type of headgear they’ll use on the race day. Racecards will show whether the horse is wearing a noseband or blinkers.
The purpose of horse race headgear is to increase the horse’s performance. Some studies have shown that horses with cheek pieces do better than those without them. The reason for this is because cheek pieces restrict the horse’s field of vision, forcing it to focus on the front end of the race track. Many British trainers use cheek pieces to enhance the performance of their horses on the racetrack.
Lasix
The use of Lasix for horse race is a controversial topic, and one that has caused much debate. Many horse owners feel it is not necessary to use Lasix, but it is an effective way to treat bleeding horses during a race. However, one of the biggest problems with Lasix for horse race is the fact that it is not always safe.
A number of studies have linked Lasix to the sudden death of racehorses, but it is unlikely to affect all horses. Bleeding is normal in all horses, but any bleeding over a certain level will decrease the performance of the horse. Consequently, Lasix for horse race is banned in Australia on race days, but allowed for training purposes.
Mongolian Groom
A new Breeders’ Cup report reveals that the death of the $6 million Classic winner, Mongolian Groom, could have been avoided. The race’s veterinarians examined 253 horses several times. Twenty-four were scratched from the Breeders’ Cup and its undercard races, and one died.
During the race, Mongolian Groom suffered an injury to his left hind leg and was euthanized. He was examined by a team of veterinarians led by Dr. Ryan Carpenter, who determined that the horse was too ill to continue racing. The veterinarians analyzed radiographs and recommended humane euthanasia.