By: Fabiola Grosshan
Submitted: 2010-11-03 04:56:52 | Word Count: 541
Although the Saratoga racetrack is popular for many things – its classic races, impressive views, beauty and diversity of competing horses, good variety in terms of horse bet options – the one thing that particularly stands out is the challenging nature of all the betting done here. With each new season, Saratoga gives professional handicappers plenty of homework and offers track betting options that are just as intriguing as they are rewarding.
Before placing a bet at the Saratoga, the first thing you need to account for in your decision-making is weather. As with any other racetrack, bad weather at the Saratoga can ruin a grass schedule in no time and, just like on the dirt track, turf courses change the racing conditions dramatically when they get soaked in the rain.
[ advertisement ]
Moreover, be wary of intensely promoted favorites, as Saratoga has built a reputation for being a real “graveyard of favorites”. If you want to improve your chances of winning with your track betting picks, focus on where the winners are coming from and check if there is any kind of bias involved. Since Saratoga horse betting attracts throngs of avid sports bettors with a taste for high-class equine contests, the value of the betting here can rapidly shift from one side to another, which can be confusing for the casual handicapper. If you wait too long, you may risk losing the advantage of the bias, so try to speed things up when you identify a fruitful horse bet worth investing in.
A perceptive horse handicapper should also be able to identify key races before they become too transparent and start attracting a lot of betting action from the horse betting community. One of the instruments you can use to help with this task is the Beyer Pars, which are communicated in DRF Simulcast Weekly. In addition to that, try to make a habit of studying The Daily Racing Form for any relevant horse betting information, and be on the lookout for races where the trifecta contenders are spread out. If it comes on a slippery surface, this can be a sign of a highly competitive contest.
Another important thing to account for in your Saratoga horse betting ventures is the main track only runners, which are typically designated to compete in the outside slots at the starting line. If it happens to rain and the grass races are taken off the sod, then these horses will become prime time contenders. When the top-bred grass runners are gone, the race will very likely lose some its luster, rendering the fields short and compact, so make sure you pay attention to this aspect.
On an ending note, the best preparation and the most effective strategy for successful track betting at the Saratoga ultimately lies in hard, ongoing work. Try not to be fooled in joining any misleading betting trends, always look for good value in your betting, and whenever you can identify a seemingly false favorite, don’t hesitate to take a swing and come in strong with a knowledgeable and inspired pick.
