How to handicap horse races in 5 easy steps

Handicapping horse races doesn’t have to be difficult. A few simple guidelines can steer you down the path to picking winners and placing smart bets.

It’s as easy as “horse-bet-racing”—pick your horse, place your bet, enjoy the racing.

Handicapping is the process of picking your horse and, ultimately, placing your bet(s). Need help getting started? Here are five easy steps to handicap horse races:

1. Look at the race conditions

Is the race you’re handicapping a six-furlong sprint or a 1 1/8-mile route? Is it taking place on dirt, turf, or a synthetic track? Is it open to all horses age three and up, or is it restricted to two-year-old fillies? The conditions of a horse race are the main filter through which all data is analyzed. The fact a horse runs great on turf may be irrelevant if you’re handicapping a dirt race.

2. Analyze each horse’s past performances

Thoroughly review the past performances of each horse entered in the race. Watch race replays to look for troubled trips. Look at Brisnet Speed ratings to determine which horses have run fastest. If a horse has previously excelled in races with conditions similar to the race you’re handicapping, take note. Consider whether a horse has improved or regressed in their recent efforts.

3. Consider jockey and trainer statistics

Jockey and trainer statistics can help determine the likelihood of a horse winning under relevant circumstances. Any win percentage above 20% is worth respecting. If a trainer wins 25% of the time with horses running in a route race for the first time, take note. If a jockey wins at a 22% rate on turf, that’s a positive sign.

4. Review workouts and pedigrees

Sometimes it’s necessary to dig deeper into the data. If a horse is unraced or returning from a long layoff, a regimen of sharp workouts is encouraging to see. Or if a horse is trying turf for the first time, Brisnet sire stats and dam stats indicating a pedigree geared toward turf racing can hint whether the move will help or hinder the horse’s performance.

5. Plan your bets

Once you’ve identified the best horse(s) in the race, it’s time to plan bets that match your opinions. Are you certain the 5-2 favorite will win? A win bet may be the best choice. Do you believe a 30-1 longshot will finish in the top three? Consider a show bet. Do two evenly matched horses rank above the others? Try boxing them in an exacta.

Horse-bet-racing, remember? You’ve picked your horse and placed your bet. Now go enjoy the racing.