Del Mar Racing

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Handicapping Horses at the Paddock

Watch as the horses go around the Paddock.


This is a form of Handicapping that can be done for people attending the racetrack

Positive signs to look for
If you get a good look at the horses as they are walking up, notice each horse’s hair coat and other indications of energy. A healthy horse will usually have a shiny hair coat, short in summer and luxuriant in winter. Look for ripped muscles in the horses for signs of being in shape. Good signs to see are prancing, neck bowed, focused look, dapples, and that 'ready to run' in their eyes which can be described as a bright, inquisitive-looking eye, ears pricked forward and neck slightly arched

Pricked ears are the only correct position for winning horses unless a horse hears something unfamiliar and gets distracted, his ears might turn towards the sound until he satisfies his curiosity. They then return to the pricked ear position


Negative signs to looks for:

Negative body language would include horses that are holding their heads up (face horizontal to ground), shaking head from side to side, nervously lunging forward or spinning out so they are at a 90-degree angle to the lead pony; sweating a lot; walking so slow or pulling back so that the lead pony rider appears to be dragging the horse. Horses that look asleep or dull are obviously a negative sign. Some other negative signs include dull coat, runny eyes or nose, open sores, front wraps (be careful here some are done in black ie hard to see and also trainers bluff here sometimes), excessive sweating tail kept between the hind legs, or popping the tail up and down.

Ears:

The ears can tell you a lot about a horses mental state and condition.

PINNED EARS strongly suggest something is off and probably angry. The ears are swept back and flush against the head.
The reason for pinned ears is the horse simply doesn’t want to be where he is at this moment for any number of reasons. If he’s sore he simply doesn’t want to go thru this “racing thing” in pain. Or, perhaps his groom rudely awakened him 45 minutes ago from sleeping and he simply wants to go back to bed.

FLICKERING EARS
Flickering ears is also negative

While not as annoyed as the angered horse with pinned ears, a horse with flickering ears is distracted. The ears flicker because he simply isn’t paying attention to his surroundings and forthcoming event. He could care less who wins this race.


FLOPPED OVER EARS
Tiredness is evidenced by flopped over ears.

This negative ear position can be brought about by soreness or extreme tiredness. These horses usually enter the paddock with their heads so low, you wonder how they continue to move forward without falling over.


Those are some of the major signs of reading a horse doing his circle in the paddock that can help with handicapping.

Check the groom too, sometimes he can give something away. You might see something in his facial expressions and /or demeanor.

Remember:
Just because a horse looks bad doesn't mean he can't win but usually it will eliminate some horses who really don't have much of a shot.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Del Mar Racetrack Handicapping Contest

What/Why: Would you like to win $750,000 dollars and the title of Handicapper of the Year? The first step is to place high in a qualifying competition for the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC).

Horse Racing fans win big and have fun with these 3 separate one day live money handicapping tournaments
The National Handicapping Qualifiers


Show off and put to the test your horse racing handicapping skills at the Satellite Wagering Facility of the Del Mar Racetrack known as Surfside Race Place. The 90,000 sq ft sports bar of the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Friday 9/6/13
Prizes 2 spots in Vegas and $8000+ in cash and prizes
including a BCBC spot valued at $2500
Entry Fee $310/300*
Bet type: $2 wp with a $40 bankroll


Saturday 9/7/13
Prizes 2 spots in Vegas and $4000 in cash and prizes
including 1 BCBC spot valued at $2500
Entry fee $260/250*
Bet type: all, $100 bankroll and unlimited buy ins.


Sunday 9/8/13
Prizes: 2 spots in Vegas and $21,000 in cash and prizes including 3
BCBC spots valued at $2500 each
Entry Fee $510/$500*
Bet Type: wps/ex/tri, $1,000 bankroll


*$10 discount for entries by entering Sunday the weekend before the tournament

Surfside Race Place website event info here




Contact Vicki Hiltbold for details at 858-755-1167 x 1202

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Diamond Club for the Del Mar Racetrack

Del Mar Diamond Club


When you go to the Del Mar Racetrack and Surfside Raceplace there is a card that give you discounts such as reduced entry and other perks.

It's free to sign up. When you attend the Del Mar Racetrack they allow you to sign up BEFORE entering. They just don't advertise the lower admission price.



Del Mar Racetrack Admission Comparison



Regular Price Diamond Club General Admission $6.00 $3.00 Clubhouse Admission $10.00 $5.00

Surfside Race Place (this is the satellite wagering facility at the Del Mar Fairground)

General Admission $5.00 $2.50
Note: Diamond Club members pay their usual discount price ($5 Clubhouse, $3 Stretch Run) on Opening Day.

By joining the Del Mar Diamond Club you'll save money each time you attend the races at Del Mar or at Surfside Race Place. Plus, take advantage of special offers and giveaways exclusively for Diamond Club members all year long. Best of all, membership is FREE!

To Sign Up:
Bring a valid photo identification and present it at special Diamond Club booths at the Del Mar Racetrack or Surfside Race Place. You'll find Diamond Club signup booths located on the 2nd floor of the Clubhouse, the 1st floor of the Stretch Run and outside the Stretch Run admission gates. You can print out the form here to fill out and bring with you to Del Mar to speed up the enrollment process.

Free and Easy Wednesdays: Every Wednesday (except Opening Day), receive FREE Stretch Run Admission, FREE Program and FREE Seat along with HALF PRICE Beer (domestic drafts), Sodas and Hot Dogs at Stretch Run Concession Stands.

*You must be a Diamond Club member and scan your membership card at designated Admission Gates and Concession stands.

Seniors Free Thursdays – 62+ Every Thursday, all Diamond Club Seniors 62 and over receive FREE Stretch Run admission when they present their cards and I.D. at the Stretch Run Admission Gates.

Account Wagering

Account wagering is available using your Diamond Club Card. Once you become a member it is simple to sign up for the account-wagering feature. Simply go to the Diamond Club sign up booth and notify a customer service representative that you would like to open the account-wagering feature on your card. The process requires a valid photo ID and a social security card. After your membership is activated you may begin loading money on your card and not have to deal with the hassle of losing tickets! The process works much like your ATM card and is easy to learn. If you need further help look for a SAM attendant in the green vest, they are more than happy to assist you.


Significant Player Program Diamond Club Rewards

Wager amounts between $5,000 per month and $250,000 per year, and you'll receive rewards such as:
•1% cash back
•Silver Saddle Club memberships
•Saddle Club and Preferred parking passes
•Del Mar Live Meet admissions and parking pass make sure to scan your card each time you wager.

Free Parking for Diamond Club Surfside Patrons


Diamond Club parking passes will allow you free parking entry via the Surfside Crosby gate into the Fairgrounds during Surfside’s operating hours.

If you have used your card more than once at Surfside, bring your Diamond Club card to the Gift Shop Wednesdays through Mondays from 10:00AM – 3:30PM to receive your parking pass, with paid admission, while supplies last.

The regular parking fee at the Fairgrounds is $10.00 per day. Your first Diamond Club parking pass is free, replacements $2.00. This pass is good throughout the year except during the live meets. This includes during the Del Mar Fair

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Horse Racing Photography Del Mar

Met Essy Ghavameddini yesterday at the Del Mar racetrack.
He's got beautiful photos turned into paintings of the Del Mar races
up for sale

check out his work here
8008 Girard Ave Suite 190
La Jolla, CA 92037

Essys studio Horse Racing Art

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Top Horse Racing Handicapping Books

These are the books on my reading list  reviews of each will soon follow

Bet with the Best: All New Strategies from America's Leading Handicappers From the Daily Racing Form Press and includes Beyer, Brohamer, Crist, Davidowitz, Litfin, Quinn, Shuback, Stich, and Watchmaker.   I'm currently reading this now

 

 

 

 

 

Exotic Betting Exotic Betting by Steve Crist: Handicapping the races is only half the battle, betting them is the other.  In Exotic Betting Steve Crist outlines the strategy he uses for playing each type of exotic bet, from Exacta’s to the Pick 6 and every wager in between.










Ainslie’s Complete Guide to Thoroughbred Racing – Tom Ainslie
Another excellent all around-  This is currently going for $.01 on Amazon used :)






Money Secrets at the Racetrack 







– Money Secrets at the Racetrack by Barry Meadow:  Money management is a weakness of many horseplayers and can often be the difference between a winning and losing horseplayer.  It's the same for any type of gambling or trading.   Money Secrets at the Racetrack is far and away the best guide to proper money management and optimal value betting strategy.






Modern Pace Handicapping 


Modern Pace Handicapping by Tom Brohamer:  Pace makes the race is one of the oldest sayings you will hear at a racetrack and Modern Pace Handicapping is the definitive book on Pace Handicapping. 






The Handicapper's Condition Book 



– The Handicapper’s Condition Book by James Quinn:  Class is an often hard to describe factor in horse racing.  A horse that wins a Maiden Special Weight may be able to step up and win an Allowance race or may need to drop into a Claiming race. 










Betting Thoroughbreds for the 21st CenturyBetting Thoroughbreds for the 21st Century by Steve Davidowitz:  Ever look at the past performance of a horse and wonder what is this horse doing in this race today?  In Betting Thoroughbreds for the 21st Century the answer to that question and many more will be answered.  This book covers a diverse set of topics from track bias to trainer intent and is a must read for beginning horseplayers and a welcome refresher for experienced horseplayers.by the way This benefits you much more than me.  Buy this book currently from DRF.com It's the original $25.00 for new.   Used copies are going for $100  on amazon 



The Best of Thoroughbred HandicappingThe Best of Thoroughbred Handicapping by James Quinn:  Over 40 handicapping ideas/methods are presented in this anthology of horse racing.  From betting strategy to pace handicapping to visual analysis of the horses in the paddock this diverse collection of writings is useful to every type of handicapper.  This book is a collection of ideas. 

 



Guide to The Del Mar Race Track and Turf Club

My review and guide to The Del Mar Race Track and Turf Club
also known as the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

*Live Racing happens at the Del Mar Racetrack late July through early September.
*They are closed Monday and Tuesdays
*Races start a 2pm Wed, Thurs,   and also Sat and Sun
*On Fridays they start later at 4pm.
*Opening Day here is a very different animal.  All types of people pour in.  There is a hat contest and people watching is it's own sport.  Wow on some of the outfits.

**Girls attending the racetrack.  Thank you.  You all look amazing :)
*The once a year Pacific Classic starts at 1pm  also Opening Day starts early.
*Gates Open 2 hours before the first race.

The racetrack is a way to have a good time.  It can be quite expensive or inexpensive depending on your preferences and choices.

There are no stereotypes for the racetrack all are welcome.  Men, Women, old young and in between are all here. The Del Mar racetrack is bucking trends of other tracks as attendance grows each and every year.

First things first when getting here.  SIGN UP FOR THE DIAMOND CLUB. This is a must and it's free.  Give them a valid email address also as it will get you more discounts in the future.   It gets you half price admission to the racetrack and also to Surfside Race Place the off track betting facility at the Fairgrounds. It also enables you to all types of freebies when they give stuff away. As of Saturday you can actually sign up BEFORE going inside. it makes Weds free also.

If you want to get more serious into horse racing buy a premium racing form.  This stuff will be important for later on if you want to learn more.

If you want to be just casual and just have some fun let some of the professionals do the handicapping for you.  Go to this webpage Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Handicapping  For free handicapping- plan ahead.

Seating Options

There are a few choices for seats.
Stretch Run and Clubhouse.  Stretch run is the least expensive, it's also the most crowded. Clubhouse is just a $4 more but the CROWD's A LOT LESS and a little bit fancier.

General Admission only gets you in the door.  You can bring your own chairs, stand along the railing or reserve a seat.

Free Admission
Active Military and their dependents get free into racetrack.

Del Mar Concerts happen every Friday night but also sometimes on Sat and Sundays.  The best and cheapest way to attend is go into the racetrack BEFORE the last race the fee then is just $3.00. (with diamond club)   Otherwise $20.

Check Del Mar Scene for details on the concerts..

How to bet.
There are all types of exotic bets.  If you know what you are doing go for it. For the beginner I strongly recommend either just Show bets or win bets.

A fun game for a group of friends is known as Show Parlay.  Placing a portion of everybody's funds into a pool and betting a horse to show picked by a member of the group.  The next race another member picks and so on and so on.  Each time a winner comes up you let the winnings ride.  A Show bet is betting that a horse will be either 1st, 2nd or 3rd.  It doesn't matter but you always get the smaller payout no matter what finish.  This is a good way to get your feet wet.

The favorites win 33% of the time.        Yet due to the betting system known as parimutuel betting  the payout doesn't pay enough for the losses.   It's well known among the professional horse handicappers NOT to bet on favorites.   It's known as betting on chalk.  

The majority of people who play horses just want to win and be right all the time. You won't make money long term betting on chalk.
What you are looking for if you want to make money on horse racing is something out of the ordinary.  When a favorite gets much better odds than he supposed to.  Or another scenario is a "longshot"  has a much better chance than the general public sees due to some factor.

This is why I suggested buying the racing form earlier.  It's all in there a horse's past performance. Go to youtube after the races with your form and search for how to read the Daily Racing Form , How to Mark up the Daily Racing Form  or Mark up Past Performances.  This will give you a fighting chance. Some links will be added here soon.


If you want to get much better at wagering  I'll recommend the Satellite wagering facility known as Surfside Race Place.
Del Mar Sports Bar

It's the 90,000 sq foot Sports bar located at the Del Mar Fairground that's open year round EXCEPT when the races are running live.   You'll see a lot of the guys who make their living betting on the ponies here each day.
Talk to these guys, make friends with them and buy them a few rounds and you'll soon learn a lot more of the ins and outs of horse racing including making nice winning bets.  :)

I recommend the Racetrack. I always have fun :)

Friday, August 23, 2013

Horse Watches

Horse Watches


I got this original idea from reading the book "Bet With The Best All New Strategies from America's Leading Handicappers" from DRF Press.

In this book Andrew Beyer in one of the first few chapters summarized something about his style of handicapping and how it's evolved.
Originally he used to pour over every bit of information he could get his hands on. A lot of it was irrelevant and time consuming. He would then hope to eventually find a nugget to shine through.

Eventually he realized it's easier to find the nuggets first and wait until the horses were entered into a race. So he now summarized what he does as:

* Find crucial nuggets of information and individual horses that might turn out to be decisive handicapping factors when they run next.

*Maintain a horse watch list of these strong horses.

*When one of these horses appear in the entries, handicap the race by focusing on that particular horse and judging if he is worth a bet.


These are the two notification services online that provide the ability to track horses for free and send an e-mail when that horse is entered to run in a race. These services are an invaluable tool for handicappers and owners who want to keep tabs on certain horses.

Stable Alert From Bloodstock Research. Stable Alert is probably the most timely and reliable of the horse watch services. Especially with regard to workout information. There's a free horse watch that lets you track specific horses and a trainer watch which will let you follow specific trainers.

They also have a subscription based sire and dam watch that'll let you follow specific sires/dams and their offspring.


Virtual Stable Provided by Equibase & Trackmaster. Virtual Stable will allow you to track horses entered in a specific race. It's easy to use and requires that you sign up first. It's free and allows you to keep track of notes for all of your horses. Users have the option of following workouts or results.

Enjoy

Surfside Raceplace Commercial

Surfside Race Place Commercial





Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Del Mar Racetrack Betting Game

So you find yourself in a big group at the Del Mar Racetrack during the season or the SportsBar Surfside Raceplace during the rest of the year.

Want to make your group all have a great time. A game known as Show Parlay can be done.

A fun way to bet on horse races that gets everyone in your party involved is a group show parlay. It works like this: Have each person ante up $5, and pool the money. Each person in the group picks one race and one horse to bet to show. Place the first bet, and if you win, parlay the money on the next race and horse. Your winnings can add up very quickly. For example, if four people start with $20 and each person wins a $3 show price, you’ll have $101 after only four races!