THE ASPIRING HORSEPLAYER

I thought it best to put together some sort of primer for our readers that are completely new to the sport of thoroughbred racing.  Almost immediately upon immersing yourself in the world of thoroughbred racing, a prospective new fan finds themselves bombarded with foreign terminology, symbols, and a flood of information that they have likely not had to process so rapidly before.   The whole thing can seem totally overwhelming and is probably the biggest roadblock preventing people from becoming more avid racing fans.   Thankfully, the Aspiring Horseplayer is here to help guide you through the process.  

By the end of this article, you should find yourself able to carry on a meaningful conversation about horse racing and, perhaps more importantly, have an understanding of what is necessary in order to wager a successful bet.   If you want to know how to pick a Derby winner but have no idea where to start, this article is dedicated to you  

Trust me when I say that one of the most rewarding experiences a human being can enjoy in life is the thrill of cheering home a horse you have predicted would win and felt confident enough to wager money on.   The connection you make with such an animal can last a lifetime.  You truly haven’t lived until you’ve successfully picked a Kentucky Derby winner, and after reading this (several times perhaps) you will have an understanding of how to begin.

Before we get started, let’s level set on a few ground rules for this discussion:

• You will find links throughout this article highlighted in blue.  Clicking on them will open a new window in your browser and take you to a sub-page with further information about the topic referenced. 
• The Daily Racing Form is the publication we use to conduct all handicapping.  While there are many quality publications available to aspiring horseplayers, the DRF is the most comprehensive publication available and it is highly recommended that you learn where to acquire one in your area of residency.   Many convenience stores, book stores, and newspaper/magazine stands sell the publication, as do race tracks and off-track wagering locations. 
• This is gambling we are discussing here, although  parimutuel betting should not be confused with casino gambling.  There are distinct differences between the two.  I suggest you read the link to wikipedia above and understand that you are not betting against a “house” in parimutuel wagering as you are in a casino.   In parimutuel wagering you are matching your wits against the other bettors rather than sinking money into a game designed for you to lose.
• Another word on gambling.  It is assumed that any and all readers of The Aspiring Horseplayer practice responsible wagering.  Never under any circumstances should you wager money that is needed for bills, will be needed as savings, or that cannot afford to be lost.   My advice is to take a good inventory of your finances and determine where your money is being spent.  Ideally, you should increase the amount you are saving and/or using to pay off debt long before you are earmarking any funds towards wagering.  Please seek professional help if you feel you have a gambling addiction.   We will not be held accountable for anyone managing their own money irresponsibly.  
• Whenever possible, formulate your own opinions rather than relying on other handicappers……..including me.   I realize this seems counter-intuitive to the regular handicapping selections I give out, but the bottom line is that you should only wager on that which you believe in personally.   After all, it’s your money on the line, so why take someone else’s opinion?  If you’ve got an opinion, back it up with  a modest wager and, for lack of a better expression, put your money where your mouth is.

Alright, with those minor concerns out of the way, let’s start you off on the path to becoming an aspiring horseplayer of your own. I would highly suggest completing the bulleted list below in order to help facilitate the learning process as efficiently as possible.

1. Familiarize yourself with the thoroughbred racing glossary of terms. 
2. Take a look at the beginner’s information available on about.com by clicking here.  The friendly folks at about.com are also a knowledgable source of live help for aspiring horseplayers.  It would be wise to register in the forum there and take a look at the information they have available.
3. Learn to play the races.  This article is a good place to begin your understanding of racing concepts.
4. Learning to read the Daily Racing Form. This article will teach you how to decipher the past performances contained within the Daily Racing Form. 
5. Understanding Beyer Speed Figures.  While not a golden ticket that guarantees victory, having an understanding of the speed figures developed by Andy Beyer can only aid in your handicapping efforts. 
6. Winning Techniques. This article will introduce you to several basic “angles” that have led to countless profitable wagers over the years.  You won’t be learning anything ground breaking here, but once you’ve mastered these concepts you can begin looking into more advanced handicapping.
7. Basic Handicapping Techniques of The Aspiring Horseplayer.  Want to know how I do it?  I’ve summarized my approach so that beginners can follow along. 
8. List of major horses races.  Courtesy of the Thoroughbred Times, stay up to date on when the big races are being run.
9.  FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions.  Got a burning question?  It may already be answered here.
10.  Further Reading. Now that you’ve got the basics down, take a look at our further reading section for enrichment on more advanced principles in the art of handicapping.

Be sure to check back for updates as I’ll be adding and changing things on this section of the blog quite frequently.   Sound off if you’ve got some feedback you’d like share.