Horse Racing Betting: Characteristics and Tactics

Fans bet on horse races in the following competition types:

• Flat races – races on smooth track surfaces.
• Steeplechase – obstacle races, including fences, hurdles, and ditches.
• Endurance races – long-distance races up to 1 km.
• Trotters – cart-pulling horse races.
• Maiden races – novice and outsider races; victory enables the horse to advance to a higher division.

Also, major events like the Grand National offer special chances for punters. There are various online sportsbooks offering grand national betting promotions, which can give you a boost by offering improved odds or free bets for players in this historic race.

In bookmaker betting lines, bookmakers offer markets to clients on which they can place bets:

• Winner – the horse that crosses the finish line first, the other bet being on a horse not crossing the finish line first.
• Show – the first three finishers in any order; if there are more than three prize places, the stake is called "Place" or "Prize."
• Exacta – the horses that cross the finish line in 1st and 2nd positions.
• Trifecta – the first three finishers in order.
• Quinella – the faster of two selected horses.
• Finish – a race in which no horses withdraw from the race.

On the grounds of Russian Hippedromes there are for bet placement on races available:

• Single;
• Double;
• Triple Single;
• Triple Express;
• Quadruple Express;
• Five Express;
• Four Wins;
• Five Wins;
• Six Wins.

Betting Strategies on Horse Racing

Experienced bettors use proven strategies to maximize the success of their horse racing bets.

"Trixie" Strategy

The "Trixie" strategy means selecting favorites and analyzing information about the horses:

• Analyzing the results of past performances of a candidate;
• Betting on morning races at an early stage when it is possible to identify favorites;
• Making use of a simplified system of bets on two favorites: 1 double-express and 2 singles.

Experienced players take odds from 2.00 and higher on the winning horses and devise a system of four express bets: 1 treble and 3 doubles.

For instance, the combinations within the system will be: (A + B), (B + C), (A + C), (A + B + C).

With two or more favorable odds of 2.00 and two out of every three favorites winning, the payout will pay the bet, and if all three players win, the "Trixie" system will yield a profit.

"Datching" Strategy

The player looks for inflated odds on favorites of different races, usually 4.00. By placing bets on several horses and winning one of them, the gambler is able to get an enormous profit.

Gamblers usually look for inflated odds using scanner programs.

The system is named after Al Capone's friend, Datchi Schultz.

"Smart Money"

The system involves betting on a possible outsider, whose odds decrease as the race approaches.

The gambler looks at the fluctuation of odds of the favourite and checks the chances of the selected outsider. If the favourite's odds shift slightly but the outsider has been doing better in recent races, one should place a bet.

Large odds on undervalued horses may pay off in the long term.

Things to Keep in Mind While Forecasting Horse Races

Veteran players compile statistics after years and consider several factors while predicting.

Age of the Horses

Two-year-old horses are allowed to race, and they retire from racing when they are five years old.

Young horses have a faster speed in short races, while experience is more important in long races or steeplechases.

Time Between Races

Before betting, one should look at how much rest a horse has had before the race. One month is the ideal resting period before a sprint, while for longer races, trainers prefer to give a shorter break.

It's not advisable to bet on a horse that runs frequently and has been doing poorly in recent races.

A horse with smoothly maintained rest patterns and increasingly better-performing is a better bet.

Predicting the result of a horse that has not competed for a long time is difficult.

Distance

Short races are more unpredictable because even the most rudimentary of misadventures in the early stages of the starting gate will see the outcome veer elsewhere. In longer races, competitors will be given more than a single opportunity to recoup their lost space and capitalize on their assets.

Track Features

Experts always find out where the race will take place. Certain courses have unique features, i.e., sudden turns or inclines.

Weight of Competitors

A light horse will make a faster start, while a heavier horse will be expected to maintain a steady pace.

One of the notable points is the jockey's weight. The standard weight is 60 kg, but less experienced jockeys can carry more to improve their balance. Remembering this point can help one determine which jockey is more experienced and will win.

Track Surface

Tracks are accompanied by grass, dirt, or synthetic surfaces, or even a mix of two or three surfaces on various sections of the same track.

A very hard surface imposes additional shock load on the horses and could lead to joint damage, while too soft surface causes sinking of the hooves, which is responsible for swellings of ligaments.

The best surface must drain the water and reduce the dust.

Each horse is most suited to a specific track surface.

Weather

Weather also affects the time and outcome of outdoor races. Professional players check the weather forecast for the race day before placing a bet. Rain or extreme heat can wipe out a favorite's advantage and provide a chance for an outsider to win.

Trainer and Jockey Statistics

Experienced bettors examine the history of professional jockeys in charge of racehorses. The trainers' and the jockeys' level of dedication must be taken into consideration when choosing a betting horse.

Trainers tend to favor some jockeys and choose the best ones for their best horses. By observing the performance record of the "trainer-jockey" team, the bettors can choose a horse with a higher chance to win.