Horse racing is one of the oldest sports in the world that dates back to 4500 BC among nomadic tribesmen of Central Asia, after being accepted by the ancient Greeks where people organized horse races at the Olympic Games. Fast forward to today, we have a global sport that attracts millions of fans from all over the world. Horse racing is one of the sports that holds its roots in terms of style, rules, and culture, and we can still see the sport at this year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Apart from the close action in races, horse racing is even more exciting when it is combined with betting. Placing money on your favorite horse can significantly improve the event and bring out the real excitement of the race.
But how to pick a winning horse?
Well, since horse racing is an unpredictable sport, the best chance to choose a winning horse is through data analysis. In today’s article, we will take a look at some of the most important things to consider before placing a bet on horse racing.
Finishing Position from Previous Races
Analyzing previous results is a common thing to do before betting on every sport. Often referred to as the “form” of the horse, the team, or the athlete that is competing in the event.
Since many factors can influence the pace a horse finishes in a race, you need to know what type of information to look for. The best way to predict the outcome of a race is through patterns. For example, if a horse finishes second three times in a row, it would be a good idea to pick it as the winner of the next race.
Make sure to compare all characteristics, like the surface that the horse has the best results, the distance of the track, and its condition.
Days Since Last Race
The key to a horse’s form is to be well-rested, but not too rested before an event. The sweet spot is to choose a horse that has taken a time off of about 30-60 days before events. If the horse has been off for a long period, it usually needs one or two races to get back to its peak fitness level.
You can also take a look at the number of races per year, which should be around 7 races for the horse to be in a good form.
Keeping track of the horse racing schedule is crucial, so make sure to check out Saratoga Race Track https://www.twinspires.com/race-tracks/saratoga news, history, and schedule and keep an eye for all the upcoming events.
Jockey and Trainer
Most people make the same mistake of looking only at the horse data and its previous winnings, not acknowledging the factor of the jockey or the trainer. The goal is to go for horses that have a proven history with a jockey at a certain distance or tracks.
Jockey’s that has a history with one horse knows its abilities and how to use them to its full potential.
Official Ranking
Just like any sport, horse racing has an official ranking for horses according to experts. This is also the only factor for many people when they are making their betting decision, which is not that wise. Even though horse racing experts can accurately predict the horse’s abilities, there are still many factors that can change the outcome of the race, for example, weather conditions, previous form, and track surface.
So, don’t skip your research about the horse, but still, check out what the experts need to say about its rankings.
Previous Course and Distance Wins
Every form guide that you’ll find online will show you the horse’s previous course or distance wins. Officials note a course win with a “C” and a distance win with a “D”. So if you see a “CD” after the horse’s name at a previous event, it is safe to say that the horse will perform well in that area again.
Final Words
These are some of the most important factors to consider before making a bet on horses. The key is to keep track of every piece of information in the horse racing community just because it can help you make a wiser betting decision in the upcoming event.
Alicia Parker 
Michelle 
Meghan