Betting on Horse Racing For Dummies

Introduction 1

Part 1: And They’re Off! Horse Racing and the Betting Scene 5

Chapter 1: Playing the Ponies for Pleasure and Profit 7

Chapter 2: All Horse Races Are Not Created Equal 15

Chapter 3: Getting a Handle on Parimutuel Wagering 29

Chapter 4: The Skinny on Betting 39

Chapter 5: Visiting the Racetrack 55

Part 2: How the Players and Factors Impact the Race 71

Chapter 6: Studying Horses in the Paddock and During the Post-Parade 73

Chapter 7: Riders up: The Importance of a Jockey 81

Chapter 8: Trainers and Owners: Calling the Shots 93

Chapter 9: Knowing the Track Surface and Conditions 103

Chapter 10: Zeroing In on Equipment Changes 119

Part 3: Gaining a Competitive Edge 131

Chapter 11: The Daily Racing Form: America’s Turf Authority 133

Chapter 12: Trying Your Hand at Handicapping 147

Chapter 13: Planning Your Wagers 169

Chapter 14: Making the Most of Your Bankroll 175

Part 4: Risky Business: Tackling More Advanced Bets 185

Chapter 15: Betting Exotic Wagers 187

Chapter 16: Getting Into Sophisticated Handicapping 209

Chapter 17: Handicapping Tournaments 227

Chapter 18: The Race for the Triple Crown 237

Part 5: Playing Different Ponies and Different Venues 249

Chapter 19: Harness Racing: It Will Drive You Wild 251

Chapter 20: American Quarter Horse Racing: Don’t Blink, or You’ll Miss It 267

Chapter 21: Visiting Your Local OTB: Off-Track Betting 273

Chapter 22: Betting From Home 281

Chapter 23: Viva Las Vegas 295

Part 6: The Part of Tens 307

Chapter 24: Ten Best Racetracks to Visit 309

Chapter 25: Ten Best Track Announcers of All Time 317

Chapter 26: Ten Best Horse-Racing Movies 323

Appendix: A Glossary of Horse Racing Lingo 329

Index 339