How to Research Horse Racing Tips

Horse racing has indeed entered the 21st century, progressing far beyond the old days of tips whispered surreptitiously in the alleys behind betting parlors. Computer software applications, horse racing blogs and online discussion forums are now the norm, and researching horse racing tips involves more science and less guessing than ever before.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Horse racing analysis software
• Online horse racing blogs

1. Use the results of past events to research horse racing tips. The art of handicapping race horses, which involves analyzing data from past races as well as current track conditions, is still the most widely used method to predict the outcome of any race. By compiling data on past performance, synergy with jockeys and track and weather conditions, you can significantly lower the betting risk on any single horse.
2. Look at the horse's last race when you research a tip. Most expert handicappers feel that a horse's last performance is the most important, revealing such information as the horse's general health, whether the animal's speed is peaking or falling with age and what type of track conditions are favored.
3. Read horse racing blogs to determine the validity of any tip you receive. Most online blogs feature discussion forums where you can trade information about racing tips, handicapping methods and the latest news on your favorite horse or jockey. In addition, most online discussion forums are moderated by the author of the blog, so that you can receive feedback from a horse racing expert with a successful betting record.
4. Try horse racing analysis software, such as Lay the Odds, to research horse racing tips (see Resources below). These software packages assimilate data on any given horse on any given track and calculate the probability that the horse will win. You can compare many different handicapping models in predicting the outcome, or even enter your own formula.
5. Subscribe to the Daily Racing Form, which has been the foremost authority on horse racing tips since 1894. You can pick up a copy at the local news stand, or even subscribe online (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Many racing experts suggest that you watch the body language of the horse as it enters the starting gate in order to predict its performance. A horse that is swinging its tail may be bothered or annoyed, which could slow its speed.