MAY BE A WHILE FOR ANOTHER TRIPLE CROWN WINNER

Finally a triple crown winner and more like a quadruple crown winner when you throw in 
winning the Breeder's Cup classic.  The handicappers that have been around for a while will
defend the greats of their era, but we have to give American Pharaoh his due.  He beat the
best of  the competition in both his age bracket and against the best older horses.

My guess is that it my be another 20 years or so before we have another. Why?  Horses
today are bred for certain surfaces and distance than those years ago who were generally bred
using "breed the best to the best and expect the best".  So trainers save their horses for one or
two of the big races in quest for black type in the horse' breeding resume.  Much of what the
California Chrome connections complained of when their horse failed in the Belmont.  But
that's part of the game or should I say the business of racing.  It's all about money; thus why
good horses are retired so young.  Good for the bank accounts, bad for the racing world.
Ray Fox

Why Winning At The Races Has Become More Difficult

Why Has Winning Become More Difficult?

A considerable number of race  fans haven't picked up on the primary reason. The answer is quite obvious to seasoned handicappers and bettors; parity in horse racing. 

Before desk top and lap top computers became a common household amenity along with the new software programs, handicapping was done almost exclusively using  the Daily Racing Form.   Races were wide open targets for trainers entering their horses as mismatches.   In a $10K claiming  race, for example, you used to be able to find three or four horses that  were non-contenders and eligible throw outs.  The throw outs were either out classed, or very poor performers in races similar to today’s class. 

Well what happened that changed all of this?  Oddly enough, the same changes that were made to create parity in the NFL.  The NFL decided  to even the playing  field as much as possible.   In comparison, the same $10K claimer race that existed years ago longer exists, know that and remember that. 

Racing officials redefined the conditions for claiming races.  That once $10K open claimer was transformed into specific entry requirements.  As an example, races are now  restricted to non-winners of two races lifetime, non-winners of two races since a certain date, or non-winners of “other than”, non winners of x dollars except for, and so on.   So when wagering on restricted  races keep in mind that an even money favorite doesn't really have much better credentials than any of the others in the race thanks to parity in conditions. 

Look for a nice priced horse for your win selection in races with tight conditions.  Take your shot with a horse that will give you a nice return even if on a place or show bet with high odds. 

Ray Fox
Winner World Cup of Handicapping