Tag: horse racing

Q: When did you first become interested in horses? A: I started riding at three years old. I grew up in the show-jumping world, competing in hunters, jumpers and equitation. I never imagined I would …

I have often written about finding value in pari-mutuel betting pools and how, contrary to popular opinion, it is not all about price. But sometimes you can have your pecan pie (I prefer it to …

Founder and President of Heart and Fire Racing, Kim Laudati is a true horseman from birth. Raised on a small farm in central New Jersey, she literally grew up in the saddle. While thoroughly enjoying …

I love watching Navy play football.  Even in their off years their opponents often struggle at times to defend the triple option.  Similarly, I watch a lot of horseplayers struggle with allowance optional claiming races. …

We have all heard the expression “Always a bridesmaid, never the bride.” Some horses will be career maidens, no matter how many times they come close to winning.  A lot of money gets burnt on …

Dave Schwartz and Derek Simon discuss handicapping spot plays, databases, looking for value, and a myriad of other topics. Structuring spot plays Number of factors to use Reality check Derek’s “Base 5” Why recency matters …

You know it is summertime when the juveniles are popping up with big performances left and right. Saratoga and Del Mar often lead the way in featuring talented babies, but talent can come from anywhere, …

Psychologist Ellen Langer coined the term “illusion of control” for events that we think we have more influence over than we actually do.  As horseplayers, we feel we have some sort of control of the …

As most regular readers know, I love numbers. So, it should come as no surprise that since I began offering my Race Report Cards to US Racing clients, I have been tracking the performance of …

Was it genetics, that first pony or growing up in a place known as the Valley of the Horse? It seems as if Sophie Doyle was predisposed to be a jockey. Had the 30-year-old decided …

Like many 40-somethings, I grew up in the era that featured a wonderful television show that my mom would roll her eyes at every time it came on. I can still picture the host: slim …

Part I: Kieren Fallon and Depression in Irish Jockeys When six-time British champion jockey Kieren Fallon retired from race riding due to depression last month, the racing community was predictably tight-lipped on the subject. There …

Below are my betting reports for Sunday’s races. These differ from my handicapping reports in that they list the selections that I will be playing (barring late changes and/or unsatisfactory prices). Click HERE to get a copy of the …

It’s no secret that I’m a strong proponent of “database handicapping,” or computer-aided race analysis, for a host of reasons: 1) It takes the guesswork out. By relying on tested theories and statistics, it is …

Saturday’s cards from Gulfstream Park, Saratoga and Mountaineer — yes, that’s right, Mountaineer — are replete with stakes races and other great betting events. So, to help you with your handicapping of those cards, I’m offering …