Basic Training Vital when Beginner's Luck Fades

People that frequently go to the racetrack, but lack the basic knowledge when it comes to handicapping and wagering always puzzle me.

I excuse first-timers that lack expertise while wanting to experience racing. I've taken quite a few friends to South Florida and Texas tracks, who had a great time, especially when they experienced beginner's luck.

But I recall several occasions when I came across horseplayers, including veterans, that didn't know what was going on at the track.

I recall a woman being asked by her elderly mother why two horses were favored over her daughter's selection. The daughter thought briefly and replied, "I don't know."

I couldn't help volunteering the answer: "The track is sloppy and the pedigrees of the other two horses indicate they'll run better on an off track than your daughter's pick"

They both did.

"Not everybody knows that," the daughter said. "That's really valuable information."

It's not like such information isn't available to all. Racing websites and publications list what thoroughbreds have done on wet, sloppy and muddy surfaces.

I especially remember an older man wondering what exactas were. And he was no novice. I had seen him often in the press box at South Florida tracks.

"How many horses do you play?" he asked.

"As many you want," I explained. "But two must run first and second."

He explained the procedure to his wife and they bet the last race on the program. I played the same contest, boxing the 2-5-9. The winning exacta: 2-5.

The man asked me if he'd won, showing me two tickets: 2-7 and 5-9.

"You would have," I replied, "if you had boxed all four on the same ticket."

An older lady recently overheard me discussing wagering strategy at a South Texas track and politely inquired: "I wonder if you could answer a question for me - what's the difference between a Pick 3 and a trifecta?"

"Do you go to the races often?" I asked.

"Only for the big ones," she replied, touching the brim of her hat.

So I explained: In order to cash a Pick 3 ticket you must have the winner in each leg while in order to win a trifecta your horses must finish 1-2-3 in the same race.

Here are a couple of other questions I recently answered:

What is a trifecta and a superfecta?

You can win a trifecta in various ways. First, you can box three horses on a $1 ticket and it makes no difference in what running order they hit the board. It costs $24 to box four horses. Remember that any $2 exotic wager costs double.

If you love a single horse, you can key that selection in a $1 ticket on top of three others for $6. Your top choice must win, but any of the others can finish second or third to collect. The key pick over four others runs $12.

A superfecta bet requires picking four horses that finish 1-2-3-4. The $1 box of four runs $24. The same bet with five jumps to $120 because there are 120 combinations.

The $1 key wager singling one horse over three others runs $6 while one over four horses jumps to $24.

"What do you look for to NOT bet on a horse?"

First, you must tackle a specific day's racing card one contest at a time. I like the advice of one handicapper: Each race is a different puzzle so act accordingly.

Most horseplayers develop their own formula to determine the outcome of any race. My toolbox usually includes the horse's form, his or her speed, the runner's preferred racing surface and distance, class of the race and jockey-trainer combo's success.

I've also overheard conversations at tracks like this one:

"I should have played that horse."

"I thought you liked him."

"I did, but I went for the other one."

You must have faith in your picks. Doubt leads to waffling. The more you change your mind about selections, the less chance you'll cash tickets.

Remember that beginner's luck seldom lasts very long. Handicapping is a serious business, but isn't so difficult if you master the basics. One key aspect begins right after the race ends -- professionals take stock of results pertaining to past records of each combination of horse, rider and trainer.

I also notice that much too often the more some people win, the more they bet even if they don't really have an opinion in succeeding races.

"I feel lucky," they say.

When you're hot, you're hot, but luck isn't always a lady, especially when you press it without handicapping.

For those who try to recoup when they're on an extended losing streak, I advise: Cut your losses, go home and come back another day.