How to Watch Claiming Horse Races

Most horse races in the United State are claiming races. A claiming race is when an owner enters a horse into a race to be sold for a specific dollar amount. The dollar amount is put into an account with the horseman's bookkeeper. Anyone who meets the criteria of the track can then claim/buy your horse.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Daily race form
• Off-track betting establishment

1. Go to your local track. Chances are that the races are claiming races.
2. Check online for tracks in the United States that run claiming races.
3. Find the Off-Track Betting establishment in your area and go watch the races. Ask which tracks run claiming races.
4. Purchase a Daily Race Form from the local newsstand or at the track. Find the section that describes the type of races running that day.
5. Listen to horse enthusiast's talk about the races at different tracks. People who follow the ponies will know which tracks have claiming races.
6. Investigate the owners of a horse to find out if their horse runs claiming races. If a specific owner has their horses entered in claiming races, then follow that owner's entries.
7. Read as much as you can about stables, riders, trainers and breeders. Certain teams run certain races. Find a claiming race and go.

Tips & Warnings

• Claiming can be confusing—ask questions before you lay a claim with a horseman's bookkeeper.