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Experienced sports bettors think that equestrian sports like horseracing are one of the most exciting sports to wager on. However, it is quite tricky to forecast winners for this type of sport because it only takes a few minutes for horses to arrive at the finish line of the race. Many things could happen in a short time, making the outcome of horseracing so unpredictable.
The good thing is that there are a few indicators that good bettors observe in a winning thoroughbred. These qualities are easy to spot, making them an efficient approach for bettors wanting to get their predictions right before the race. Let’s explore the top qualities of a good runner and know how we can spot them.
Build
A horse’s physical appearance matters in a race. There are horseracing events like Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes that give bettors enough time to observe the horse’s movements before placing a bet. Besides looking at the live Kentucky Derby odds and the other races mentioned above, try also to observe horses in the paddock and get an up-close look at a horse’s build. A horse must have the right amount of bones for their size. When buying horses, owners must pick the one with “plenty of bone.” Look at the horse to see if the bones in the legs are proportional to the size of the body. Avoid betting on that horse if the legs look thin and weak while the body is bulky.
Moreover, part of checking a horse’s build is also looking at its muscle tone. Check if the horse’s back legs and quarters have enough muscles. If you are looking for a sprinter, see to it that a horse has a decent amount of forearm muscle.
Pedigree
A thoroughbred’s pedigree can say a lot about a horse’s racing abilities. Many owners would prefer horses with sires who have won many stakes races in their careers. They often yield offspring as good or better than them. However, these thoroughbreds come at a high price. Furthermore, don’t overlook the dams or the mother of the horses. If the dam has produced other successful offspring, that might be a hint to buy a horse in the same bloodline.
Also, look at the parents’ running style. The offspring often develop the same running style. Remember that a horse who can run well in different tracks tends to become more successful than those specializing in single and only a few types of tacks.
Coat
A horse’s coat is the most obvious indicator of its overall health. Just like humans, most of the time, we get glowing skin when we take good care of our well-being. Horses, too, develop shiny coats if they are well taken care of.
Previous Runs
Expert bettors would never overlook a horse’s previous run. By looking at the horse’s previous competition, a bettor can see what distance the previous race was run over, the observable track pattern, and how the horse performed in the race. If the horse performed poorly, bettors can check factors like its weight and check if it could be the factor of the horse’s poor performance in the previous race. If yes, then a bettor could assess if this would be a factor in the race they will be predicting.
Jockey
The jockey is the one who will control the pace and set the horse’s direction in the race. As a bettor, it’s part of your homework to look into the records and achievements of the rider of your horse. If the rider is the regular winning jockey of the horse, this might be a sign that they will perform well in the upcoming race.
Take note that it takes time for a horse to trust their rider. Therefore, it will take formative years for the jockey to tame the horse and for the horse to get used to the jockey’s style in steering them on the course. However, if the jockey is a low-profile rider who will ride the horse for the first time, you should think twice about betting on that horse.
Temperament
Horses with calm temperaments are indicators that they’re trainable. Aggressive horses tend to move unpredictably on the course. While being calm is natural to some horses, some thoroughbreds get agitated momentarily. To be sure, observe a horse’s composure while they are in the paddock. Check if the horse is displaying nervous behaviors like sweating and neighing. As a bettor, you must be able to distinguish a horse eager to ace the race and a horse who’s just wasting its energy even before the start of the competition.
Consistency
When looking at a horse’s record, see if they have a consistent pattern of winning races. Don’t trust horses who win a race in a week and perform poorly in the following. Inconsistency is a sign that a horse isn’t as competitive as they appear to be. Meanwhile, a horse with consistent wins is committed to performing well in the upcoming races.
Conclusion
Horseracing bettors love the fact that the sports yield results instantaneously. It adds a different level of thrill to betting. While it’s challenging to hit predictions in horseracing, there are helpful tips for picking the winning horse, such as the ones mentioned here. The tips
we’ve included in this guide may not always be applicable, but experienced bettors could tell they are reliable in picking the horse likely to ace in any kind of race.
