Horse Racing Tips

Learn the Trends

2008-12-13T07:24:00.001-08:00

I was at Aqueduct on Thanksgiving and I am amazed at how simple it is to get a winning ticket on big days. I have a guy that is telling me all about the jockey Ramon Dominguez and how he is giving horses a good ride lately.

I start to study exactly what races he has been in the money and I see that he is going great at races of 1 mile. With this information I plan on betting Ramon in all his races that day. Well he won three out of his four mounts and of course the six horse won the last race as usual for the Big A.

You can learn a lot by watching. Right now I would say that Ramon's internal clock on where to move horses in a mile race, both on and off the turf is working well.

Picking the Winner of the Kentucky Derby

2007-04-22T05:30:00.000-07:00

There is a lot of ways you can bet the derby but most of them are not the smartest ways to wager. Last year I had the winner and the year before that also. How did I do it. There are three ways for me. First thing I look at is breeding. The horse has to be bred to run all day. If the horse is a maybe then throw it out.

But Vinny how do I know this information? Simple it is in the listings where they show the horses parents and grandparents, you just have to know if they were bred to run for distance. That you can look up also on the internet for free.

Next up I get rid of the favorite! Yep thats right, the favorite is no good in the derby and it isn't a smart wager since people that dont bet normally will play the favorite just to have a winning ticket. The jockeys know that the horse is the favorite and won't let the horse have a good trip since eliminating that horse gives them a better shot at winning. The favorite rarely wins hmmmm. Your money is better spent on a horse that is second or even third choice.

The next thing I look at is a horse that has a limited amount of starts: This is how I came up with Lemon Drop Kid and Smarty Jones a few years back. A horse that has only 4 starts is a fresh horse that hasn't been beaten up in prep races leading to the derby. Some handicappers hate this aproach but look at the winners from the last few years and see what I am talking about. I also like horses that come out of the Florida derby since that provides them with enough rest until derby day. Horses that run up front in the Florida derby usually fire a good race in the derby.

Horse Racing Forum

2006-12-03T15:40:00.000-08:00

I just found a forum that has some similar information to what I try to provide here. It also has a bunch of other sports Sports Forum with Horse Racing

Breeders cup

2006-11-04T08:14:00.000-08:00

My Churchhill Downs Breeders Cup Picks

I have been in a little slump as of late but I might as well share who I like in todays breeders cup races

First race
True and True, Indian flare, Prospective Saint

Second race
Its no Joke , Magna Graduate, Awesome Twist

Thrid Race - Juvenille Fillys
Dreaming of Anna, Octave, Cash Included

Fourth Race
Scat Daddy, King of Roxy, Prinicple secret

Fifth Race - Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf
Oujia Board, My typoon, Film maker

Sixth Race
Attilas Storm, Friendly Island, Henry Hughes

Seventh Race
Gorella, Badge of Silver, Araafa

Eight race
Lemons forever, Holywood Story, Fleet indian

Ninth Race
Scorpian, Cacique, English channel

tenth race
Lava Man, Bernardi, Invasor

How To Pick Breeders Cup Winners

2006-11-02T13:30:00.000-08:00

This year is going to be a lot like most years at the Breeders Cup, the favorites lose and then after the race you say to yourself that you should of picked the second or third choice instead.

The theory behind this is that just like in the triple crown races you get people that never bet on horse racing until its a big day of racing. These people although they are few and far between can make the odds a bit out of whack.

They can make a favorite into a heavy favorite for no reason except they like the name of the horse. This makes the horse unbettable (is that a word) when it comes to getting a price that is worth it for your wager.

At this time it looks like the grounds at Chruchill Downs will be fast although it rained for most of the week and the track was sloppy. This track although it will be labeled fast will favor front runners on the dirt and shippers from England and France since the turf coarses over there tend to be softer than the USA tracks.

Back at Belmont

2006-09-16T10:38:00.000-07:00

Another hint that the summer is over is when the horses leave upstate and head back down to Belmont Park. Although it is still warm lately we have been getting a lot of rain. This has been making the turf too soft to have most of the races on.

Although there is a lot of scratches I believe that it is saving jockeys and horses from getting hurt. It is just too soft out there. If you have noticed it is the older jockeys that have been taking it under their wing and having the turf racing moved to the main track.

This just shows you how valuable it is when the senior jockeys are around to advise the bug boys about conditions and safety. There are winter days in New York when I think they are absolutely crazy for racing when the track is frozen.

It is nice outside as I am posting this so it wouldn't surprise me if there is turf racing today.

Finger Lakes Race Track :: You Bet It's Fun!

2006-08-27T12:17:00.000-07:00

No tip for today's races but I did find a cool place on the web where everyone at a racetrack has a smile.Finger Lakes Race Track :: You Bet It's Fun!

This is what the racetracks here in the city need in the worst way. Hopefully they will be in the Big A sooner or later. I am sure this will get men and women back to the track again.

Saratoga Is Now Open

2006-07-25T17:45:00.000-07:00

Saratoga Here We Come

Well the Belmont meet is done and I only went to the track 3 times. They now move to the country and race up in beautiful Saratoga racetrack. Most race fans look forward to the move to Saratoga because it is a nice track. For me I look forward to it because I can bet at Aqueduct.

Sure it is simulcast but I don't care at the least. I call the Big A my hometrack and horseplayers are creatures of habit when it comes to their racetrack. Sure I enjoy Belmont but it isn't where I feel comfortable or for that matter LUCKY. Saratoga is just as nice but it isn't for me. It reminds me a little like Monmouth with most of the track outside and such. I would rather spend a day on the shore than at the Spa but that's just me.

So as most bettors like the track upstate I couldn't really care for it at all. I will be at my old stomping grounds Aqueduct in the air conditioned clubhouse betting on the action. The nightlife outside the Big A is nothing like the crowded bars in Saratoga but hey do I really need to bump into Jerry Bossert anyway.

With horse racing moving up to Saratoga I also look forward to the NY Daily News handicapping challenge where the handicappers lose all their money betting on 1/9 shots. Too funny, and sad at the same time.

If you are going up to the Spa have fun and look at every horse in every race. There is money to be made on every race. What I do is throw out the favorite and use the second and third choices in exactas.

Who I Think Will Win The Belmont

2006-06-10T13:15:00.000-07:00

So it is about an hour before the Belmont Stakes and I am usually out at the track but I decided to stay home and watch the race on TVG.

After doing all the research I can I come up with only two horses Jazil and Steppenwolfer. Since it rained last night here in New York I am going with Jazil. Both horses will be coming late and I have the feeling that Jazil will like the track a little bit more.

Since I mentioned TVG I might as well clear up why I watch them instead of the channel that is all over New York City the OTB channel or as I call it the idiot Channel. The handicappers on TVG can actually handicap. The handicappers on the other channel always have inside information from B list trainers who like their horses today. They don't have a clue.

Betting on The Belmont

2006-06-05T16:12:00.000-07:00

Betting advice on the Belmont Stakes

Everyone I know at the races has a similar problem. Money management! Although we don't like to admit it we all do. This actually comes to be against us when we bet the horse races like the Belmont.

What happens on stakes days is they have so many races it is hard to lay off a race and by the time the big race comes you don't have enough money left to wager properly. Does this sound familiar to you? Odds are if you go to the track enough this has happened to you.

My cousin Pete is a perfect example of this and it happens to him every weekend. He handicaps the big race on the card and he tells me about it when we meet at the track. Of course I take his selections every week as they usually win. I always make sure I have enough set aside for "Pete's Picks" as I call them. Poor Pete usually doesn't have any money left because he was playing all the races and hooking up the favorites in exactas all day.

So when you handicap a race like the Kentucky derby make sure you have enough money for the race. If you are like me and don't care about the odds bet the race as soon as you get to the track.

If you found this page expecting me to select a winner I am sorry about that but I will give you a tip on how to select the right horse at the right time on another post. Right now I am leaning towards Jazil and Steppenwolfer based on the distance of the race.

Who Not To Bet

2006-04-23T08:20:00.000-07:00

This is just as important as who to play when betting the ponies. This happens all the time and if you are not reading between the lines you are throwing your money in garbage.

Yesterday there was a race at Aqueduct with a horse that had no plans on winning. This horse went off as the favorite at odds of around 1-9. The problem is the people at the track did not know that the horse was using this race as a prep race for his next race. The horses name was Smuggler and he ran in the 8th race on April 22nd.

Did he win? That answer is NO. Guess what he finished last. Now if you didn't read the Daily Racing form you wouldn't know that this horse had no plans on winning. If you read the form the right way and seen that the winner liked the track you would of come up with the winner Magnolia Jackson which paid $11.

I just happen to be watching TVG at home and all three handicappers could not believe that the bettors were making this horse the favorite. I couldn't believe it either but in a six or 7 horse race it was easy to eliminate this horse.

The thousands of people in the stands at the Big A had no clue that this was a workout for this horse. It is a shame just a shame.

Pulling Hair & Betting Horses

2006-04-09T16:01:00.000-07:00

If you are looking to bet in the derby you have to read this blog as he has some good tips especially if you are betting the derby for the first time.Pulling Hair & Betting Horses

As the debry gets closer I will give some more advice on how to make a choice on who to play.

Would of hit the triple at the Big A

2006-04-08T13:58:00.000-07:00

So I hope you listened to me and my post from yesterday as you would of hit a nice triple by boxing the three horses I had listed. Sure I had Jazil to win at odds of 13-1. If the race had been another pole he would of caught the winner Bob and John.

He passed Keyed Entry in the final feet before the wire to make the triple into a nice price considering the two otther favorites were in the money. The triple would of been huge had Jazil caught the winner.

$2 Exacta (7-1) Paid $72.00
$2 Trifecta (7-1-3) Paid $163.50
8th Race Off: 4:46

1 1/8 Miles. 3 Year Olds Stakes Purse:
7 Bob and John 6.40 4.50 2.70
1 Jazil 12.20 4.80
3 Keyed Entry 2.10

Wet Track for the Wood at Aqueduct

2006-04-07T16:37:00.000-07:00

Well tomorrow I get to head out to the track to watch some of the best three year olds on their way to the Kentucky Derby. Here in New York there was a slight rain in the morning on Friday and they are expecting rain for Saturday. I am going to handicap as if the track is going to be wet.

Lets look at the obvious favorite on paper. That would be the Pletcher entry named Keyed Entry. Cool name for a horse but that doesn't mean nothing at the finish line. Jockey Edgar Prado will be in the saddle. Edgar is one of my favorite jockeys and between him and John Velasquez they are the two top riders in New York if not all of racing since Jerry Bailey called it quits. I see this horse finishing up well down the stretch at the Big A but he won't be the winner.

You also have to look at another favorite Bob and John who will run for Baffet and Gomez aboard. He is not the winner either if the track comes up wet. Baffet always has his horses ready though.

If you look at the winner or at least who I pick I say it will be Jazil at 10-1 ridden by Jara and trained by Kiaran McLaughlin The two favorites odds are so low that it doesn't make sense to bet them to win.

Good luck and I hope I see you at the races.

The price to pay when betting rookie jockeys

2006-03-04T12:39:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you see a horse that you think can win and he is coming into the race with less weight than the others because he has an apprentice jockey or bug boy as they are called around the track. Playing these horses is usually dangerous here is why.

First thing that pops into my head is the word "rookie" you are betting your hard earned money on a rookie jockey. If there is a better jockey in the race that has been around the track a million times he has an internal clock in his head and knows what pace his horse should be running so he can time his finish. Odds are this jockey will pass the bug boy if he runs the race the right way and has some horse left under him.

Something has been happening at the tracks lately that has prompted me to write this as I am seeing more horses breaking down because of these bug boys and here is my theory.

One of the things that is well known by everyone is that you never beat a dead horse. What I mean is a horse that can not win and is tiring. I am watching more and more apprentice jockeys not only whipping the horse that is tired they are also whipping the horses as they are making the turn before they come down the stretch. This is calling for trouble in the worst way.

Some horse are even being forced to switch leads in the turn which confuses the horse and 9 times out of 10 the horse will break a leg and throws the jockey. I hate to say this but after seeing this more and more it is only a matter of time before someone gets killed. Something to remember is most of the time this horse is in 1st place and struggling or is trying to hold on to place money. That means there is usually a bunch of horses right behind them. Not a good place to be in when a spill happens.

The sport needs some sort of program where they have retired jockeys come in and talk to these kids. Maybe some video tapes that have spills on them and watch them and have the retired jockeys point out the cause of the spill. I am sure the veteran jockeys in the jockey room explain this stuff to them as it is in their best interest but being that these jockeys are so young they think they know it all and probably don't listen.

An apprentice jockey Kyle Kaenel had one of the worst spills that I have ever saw at Aqueduct a few weeks ago. I believe this was part of the cause as he was switching leads in the turn. I am glad he didn't get hurt as bad as it could of been.

Merchandise - Rockaway Beach NY Apparel Company

2005-11-16T18:36:00.000-08:00

If you are heading out to Aqueduct in the winter and you want to keep the chill from getting to your bones my friend Tom has some nice warm sweatshirts for sale. Merchandise - Rockaway Beach NY Apparel Company.

Since Rockaway Beach is a horse racing town I wanted to put a link here. If you are in Rockaway at The OTB Parlor at the New Irish Circle you will see someone wearing a Rockaway Beach Sweatshirt that came from Tom's store. He has some great quality stuff. Tell Him Vinny Sent you!

Video Slots at Aqueduct

2005-11-13T08:47:00.000-08:00

So it looks like the Big A will have video slots and I think this is a good thing. Lets look at what has been happening in New York with regards to horses and why it is a good thing for New York racing.

In case you didn't know I am one of those guys that love to go to the track on a miserable rainy Tuesday as opposed to a sunny big stakes day. What has happened in New York is they are having a hard time getting horses to run here. With the slots installed at Delaware they upped the purses for these horses. Instead of running your horse in a $25,000 claiming race in New York you could get in a $30,000 race in Delaware. If you own a horse this is a no brainer.

If I owned horses I would set up all my horses in Delaware as it is probably cheaper and the track would be in better shape in the winter as It is a little warmer there usually.

The Big A should have put video slots in years ago. New York is such a red tape town sometimes. Sure putting slots in will hurt Atlantic city a little bit but not that much.

What this also did is open up the track to more people as wives and younger people will want to go to the track. It will no longer be just a place for old men. Sorry guys but that's the truth.

It reminds me of when I went to Jai Alia in Florida. There was nothing but old people and it was very stale atmosphere. They put in a poker room and the place is now the to go place in Dania. Young and old, women and men all playing poker.

It will be good once they get the slots going at Aqueduct. It will allow New York racing to keep some better horses and give a better atmosphere to the track. I am just glad that it is MGM running the slots as NYRA doesn't have clue as to what they are doing.

Jerry Bailey's Last Breeders Cup?

2005-10-30T06:36:00.000-08:00

It was a fun day to watch the races yesterday out at Belmont park. It was all good except for the horse that broke his legs while running on the turf course. Some days that course is just a little to wet to be run on though that might not have been the case today.

We may have seen one of the greatest jockeys of all time in his last Breeders Cup as Jerry Bailey may retire at the end of the year. I am glad to say I have seen him ride for many years and he always gave 100%. Thanks Jerry!

There are few riders that have been able to have as much success as Jerry has. Is it the high quality horses he gets to ride or is it skill? We have to say skill. Jerry does not ride the $10,000 optional claimer races nor should he. That is where you get hurt. Jerry has one of the best clocks in his head that a jockey needs to set up a race in his mind and then go out and do it. That is if the horse feels like running that day of course.

Thanks Jerry for some wonderful years if you do decide to retire.

Yahoo! Sports - Horse Racing - The Daddy beats A.P. Arrow to take Super Derby

2005-10-01T19:03:00.000-07:00

The Daddy will be coming to the Breeders cup after his win in the Super Derby.

It was a race were a horse Royal Saint died during the stretch The Daddy Article from Yahoo

Breeders Cup at Belmont Park

2005-10-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

Well it is getting to that time of year again when the Breeders Cup comes around. What will happen this year is anyones guess but if you follow patterns there is money to be made if you bet wisely.

Each year I only pick two races to spotlight on. Why do I do this because if you bet every Breeders Cup race you will go broke and broke in a hurry. What I do is bet on the Turf and the Classic usually. This is my strongest points and since I follow the older horses and the turf horses this makes it easier for me to bet wisely.

Sure I make a few wages that are smart bets during the other races but not as much. One strategy I follow is betting horses that are over 7-1. I simply dismiss all that are under 7-1 as the betting public will make a horse a favorite just on the name alone. This might sound crazy to regular horse players but to me it makes perfect sense. Look at the average payoffs for the last few Breeders cup races. You can do this with all the races. If there is a horse with "Irish" or another nationality there is automatically a ton of money bet on the horse just by the casual bettor that happens to be Irish.

The same theory is with any common name or nationality.
A horse with the name of "Joe is the Best" will be a bet down to 5-1 just because there is a lot of people that are named Joe.

As the races get closer I will chime in with more Breeders Cup Tips. Since Belmont is one of my home tracks I will have valuable tips
See you at the races

Horse Racing Tips

2005-09-24T11:45:00.000-07:00

Since the early part of the century horse racing has always been huge here in the United States. Why this popular sport has lived on with the changing times that's not for me to answer.
Maybe its the rush of competition or maybe its the thrill of making some money betting on it who knows for sure. I can tell you there is no better feeling than watching the horse you bet come across the finish line especially when you beat a favorite.

How to Handicap Horse Racing

There are many different angles you can take when betting horse racing and none of them is the right way. Sure you can listen to handicapping until the cows come home but are they always right NO of course not. These so called horse racing experts can only offer you the best possible information that they know. There are some things that they have no idea of what is happening. For all we know these handicappers pick names out of a hat yeah that's a system that works. Actually the writers for the Daily Racing Form are pretty good. Much better than the writers in the program of the track that you are going to.

I have been to many a racetrack in my day and I make my home track the Big A or Aqueduct in New York City. There are things that are common trends in horse racing just by watching everyday action closely you can figure it out for yourself. I make my bread and butter in the winter when the horses are running on the inner dirt track. The inner dirt track at Aqueduct over the years has always favored the speed horses and if you can pick out the proper speed horse you can make a small fortune. Yes I said the "Proper speed horse". Most experts can pick out the speed horses in the NY newspapers but they are wrong half the time and that is just not good enough for me. I would rather take my chances and handicap the horses myself. After all if these guys knew so much they wouldn't be writing for the paper they would be in Las Vegas making serious money.

Even though I shouldn't be giving out any things that I have learned over the years I will share something that I may have noticed at Aqueduct.:

Never bet the rail horse in races out of the chute.
Always bet the horses that have bend shoes in 6 furlong races.
Bet Elbar Coa in 6 furlong races. Edgar Prado on the turf
Look for Philadelphia Park or Delaware shippers especially if the trainer has 2 or 3 horses the same day.
If a horse is 1/9 go bet a different track because when he loses it will drive you crazy for a week.
Never bet anything outside the #9 post in a 6 or 7 furlong race.
Always buy the Lawton sheet on holidays don't ask but he gets big winners that day.
That's enough about Horse racing at Aqueduct I also have many tips and trends that I can share at Gulfstream Park, Belmont Park, and Monmouth Park. For instance Gulfstream park on the turf you should never play the first 3 positions coming out of that chute the horses always seem to get pinched at the start. Monmouth the speed always holds up doesn't matter the distance either. Always put the leading jockey in your exotic bets there as well. Belmont park has many trends also but I can't give those secrets away but I will tell you when NY Daily news writer Mike Lipack mentions a horse and no other handicapper in the paper has him he usually wins.

On big race days like the Kentucky Derby, Belmont stakes or The Preakness or if there is breeders cup races look over every horse as they all have a shot. Even the ones you think are considered also-rans because at one time or another they won a race its not like they are maidens. Another good tip I can give you about horse racing is go to the races have a good time and wander the grounds. If you ever get a chance to go to Saratoga make sure you go out after the races that is actually the best part of that track. Remember anything can happen in horse racing.