What Should You Look For When Betting Quarter Horses Articles | Horse Betting

By: Richard Bleuze

What Should You Look For When Betting Quarter Horses?

Below are a few factors that that I recommend you look at before placing a bet on a quarter horse race: Quarter Horse racing is an all-out burst of speed from the starting gate with every quarter horse trying to put a head in front at the finish. In quarter horse racing, there is no time to maneuver for position or to come from behind in the final stretch run as there is in thoroughbred racing. Thus, I suggest that if you wish to place a wager on quarter horses, you should the concentrate on speed, class, jockey/trainer combinations and track conditions.

1. Class Class is the most important factor in winning at quarter horse racing. Know the racehorses, owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys, and even tracks. Think of class in terms of levels of excellence and a competitive edge. How does class relate to a racetrack. Well, a horse with a 96 speed index and first place finish at Belmont is not necessarily the same as a horse with a 96 speed index and first place finish at Remington Park. Remington Park emphasizes American quarter horse racing and thus carries many more graded stakes and the average purse structure is significantly higher, thus attracting more of American quarter horses.

2. Before Race Day Preparations - In order to evaluate the entrants in any race, you will need historical data - past performances.

3. Reading between the lines - Know the the past performance information for each quarter horse in a race and read between the lines.

4. RACE FREQUENCY - Look for excessive or irregular layoffs between races which could indicate a fitness problem that could keep the quarter horse from running true to form. In addition, look for a history of regular layoffs with an immediate return to peak form by a quarter horse.

5. TRACK CONDITION - Horses that have performed well in conditions that are similar to the race track that the quarter horse is racing should have the edge.

6. DISTANCE Determine the quarter horse suitability to the race track distance. Usually, a horse that performs well at short distances could fade during a longer race. On the other hand, a horse that breaks slowly but performs well in the stretch may need the extra distance to win.

7. TYPES OF RACES - Think of race classifications as levels of the class of horse they attract with stakes races being the highest and $2,000 maiden claiming the lowest. The conditions of a race (non-winners of two, three or four) or claiming prices ($2,000-$20,000) are significant differences in the same type of race.

8. POST POSITION - Race tracks might have surfaces which favor the inside, middle or outside post positions. Some horses will favor the post positions. Thus, unless a quarter horse has a great deal of early speed to go to the front and take the inside rail, an outside post position is definitely a disadvantage and you should know this! Remember, a fast-breaking quarter horse that usually wins when it breaks first can have an edge when positioned with room to run. Thus, look for horses that break well with a post position.

9. POSITION CALLS - A horse's position during a race and its lengths behind the front-runner are generally described at four locations along the race: the break call at ten yards from the starting gate; the first stretch call at the 1/8 pole from the finish; the second stretch call at the 1/16 pole from the finish; and at the finish. Positioning and ability of a quarter horse to make up ground can reveal a lot about the horse you are evaluating.

10. EQUIPMENT - A quarter horse which has been running erratically and shows to be wearing blinkers for the first time is usually be a good wager

11. WEIGHT - Generally, weight is not a major factor in American quarter horse racing in the shorter races. However, in races of 440 yards or more, it does have some effect.

12. MEDICATIONS - There are two types of legally permitted medications are Bute and Lasix. Thus, if a horse is on the first-time Lasix list and has shown good early performance in past races but has faded toward the end, the effects of Lasix might make a difference in his next race.

13. TIME and INDIVIDUAL TIME - I suggest that you use best recent times at a certain distance as well as the conditions and racetrack.

14. SPEED INDEX - You should average the best recent speed indexes to make a good basis for comparison on a certain quarter horse.

15. BREEDING - As a general rule, pedigree has a significant influence on a horse's natural ability to run. Especially when you are handicapping two-year-olds and first-time starters.

16. JOCKEYS - As a general rule, the best quarter horses will have the best riders. Thus, remember, jockey changes can affect the outcome of a race.

17. TRAINERS - Pay attention to a trainer's winning percentages on a track, not just their total wins. In addition, some trainers are better with claiming horses, while others concentrate on stakes performers. You should take this into consideration when placing a wager.

18. MONEY LINE - Know the lifetime total of wins and in-the-money and lifetime purse money of a certain quarter horse. This can often be an indication of improvement or deterioration and class. In conclusion, the American quarter Horse may be America's most consistent athlete.

 The American Quarter Horse wagering favorites have in the past years finished in the money (first, second or third) 71% of the time, while winning 35%. Those are figures that are not claimed by thoroughbred or standardbred racing! Although, the above is true, that is not to say that American quarter horse racing lacks the excitement of winning long shots. With 39% of the horses finishing first, second or third going off with odds of 5-1 or greater, that means that horse bettors who placed exotic wagers must have made some handsome money!

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