Handicapping Long Shot System Articles | Horse Betting

By: Richard Bleuze

Handicapping Long Shot System

If you want to make money playing the horses, then finding a long shot that wins at a good price is one of the great thrills for a handicapper along with your additional picks.  Usually there is good reason that a horse is considered a long shot.  Therefore, if you chase long shots only, you will most likely be bound to go broke real fast.

One fact in handicapping a long shot to see if the trainer or rider of a particular horse has won many races recently.  If not, that fact alone will often drive the odds up, even though the horse is a solid contender.  The reason is because too much emphasis is usually placed on the abilities of the people involved with the horse rather than placing the emphasis on the ability of the horse.

The main reason why so many horse handicappers place so much importance on the jockey or trainer is that most of that most of the races are won by just a handful of top jockeys and top trainers at most tracks.  Every once in a while, however, an obscure trainer or low percentage jockey manages to win a race, and usually at good odds.  This happens because the average horse bettor likes to be reassured that he or she is betting on a proven professional conditioner or rider.

While it is true that the jockey plays a major role in winning a horse race, it is also true that the jockey can only go as fast as the horse can run.  Thus, if you are looking for a good long shot bet in a horse race, try to find a favorite that is being over bet because the jockey is a favorite of the crowd.

In addition, the class of the horse can be a major factor.  Especially, if the horse being ridden by the top jockey is dropping in class.  Although a drop in class often helps a horse, it can also mean that the horse's form is declining and it has lost its ability to win, even at a lower level.  When a horse  starts to lose its physical conditioning, it often will lose the will to win and will disappoint the horse handicapper, even at a lower class level.

Thus, I suggest that you find a top jockey on a horse that is over rated by the crowd in a race with a solid contender being ridden by a little known jockey and you may find an excellent long shot bet.

Long shots are the best bets when you know do your homework and handicap long shots.

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