Handicapping Tip of the Day #18 – From Where are They Running?

by Art Parker

Before you handicap a race do you ever ask yourself where they will run the race at that specific track? If you play the same track all of the time then you know where a six furlong race starts and finishes. And you probably know the configuration of all races at your home track. But in the days of simulcasting and playing on computers many players have failed to familiarize themselves with the configurations of all races at all the tracks they play. Some players may bet a horse that starts on the far outside, and that is not necessarily bad. But when that race starts extremely close to the first turn it is a big problem for those on the far outside.

Great historical races have funny nuances. The Arlington Million at Arlington and The Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont both start on the turn. Some turf races at Santa Anita actually cross the main dirt track just before the stretch. The more tracks you play the more local knowledge is required. Take the time to know where they will run it before you bet it.