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7 things

BET on LESS TRACKS

Betting too many tracks takes your focus away, its better to focus on one or two tracks and master them.

2. Bet Less Races

You don’t have to bet every race, doing so will make it almost impossible to come up ahead in the long run.

3. Spread Less

In the age of .10 supers, .50 pick 3s and 4s it’s easy to spread and include horses you may have normally left out. Remember with every horse you are adding to ticket you are essentially betting against yourself and betting the same on horses you like a little than that of horses you like a lot.

4. Envision how a race will unfold

Who is going to the lead?—-Is their enough pace to setup a closer?—Will the outside speed horse have to go wide on first turn, etc. Is their a lone speed horse in here?

5. Do not dismiss post position

Post position is one of the most important aspects of racing, races are won and lost at the draw. You don’t want a wide trip, nor do you want your speed horse on the rail when the horse has shown he can’t get out of gate good. Races are won and lost in the first stage of race and post position has a lot to do with it.

6. Create a virtual stable and add notes

There is a myriad of reasons to add a horse to your stable, troubled trip, big gallop out, jockey didn’t try, speed biased day and closer made up ton of ground or even an impressive horse that caught your eye, get a stable and add horses to it.

7. The most important, visit Live and Breathe horse racing group on Facebook.

This is a no brainer, the best handicappers in the country are posting in this group and sharing their trade.

Real horse racing fans do not want to see SANTA ANITA go away

Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, is more than just a racetrack—it’s a pillar of American horse racing. If Santa Anita were to close, the impact would be felt far beyond the confines of Southern California.

True racing fans, who understand the importance of this historic venue, would be devastated by the loss. Santa Anita is home to some of the most prestigious races in the country, and the breathtaking backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains offers a unique and irreplaceable setting for fans and horses alike. To lose a track like Santa Anita would be a catastrophic blow to the sport—one that could never be fully replaced. Many horse racing enthusiasts not just those in the Southern California region still miss Hollywood Park which closed in 2013 and left us with only one major racetrack in Los Angeles County.

While other tracks like Oaklawn Park enjoy financial support from casino welfare, Santa Anita has had to survive without these subsidies. The lack of additional revenue streams has made it increasingly difficult for Santa Anita to compete on the same financial playing field as tracks that benefit from casino funds. Yet, despite these financial challenges, the track continues to thrive with a strong handle and big pools for bettors to make a lot of money from. If it were to close, it would not only rob the racing community of a historic venue but would highlight how the industry's financial landscape has shifted in a way that leaves tracks like Santa Anita—relying purely on racing revenues—at a severe disadvantage.

The closure of Santa Anita would show that, in an industry increasingly dominated by outside interests and financial powerhouses, tradition and history take a backseat and is that what we want?

From December through March, when nearly every other track in the country is plagued by bitter weather that prevents turf racing, Santa Anita is one of the few places where turf horses can continue to race. The mild Southern California climate ensures that turf horses can compete during a critical period when other tracks are shut down. If Santa Anita were gone, turf racing would be left with no place to flourish during these months, crushing the hopes of owners, trainers, and bettors who rely on the track’s unique position. Where would this turf horses run? Oaklawn doesn't have a turf course?

For true horse racing fans—those who live and breathe the sport—there is no substitute for Santa Anita. The idea of it closing isn’t just a disappointment—it’s a nightmare that would change the face of horse racing forever. If Santa Anita goes, the soul of American horse racing will be irreparably harmed.

A whole new experience..

With a lifetime of experience in the racing world, I recently had the privilege of watching a race from a novel vantage point – directly alongside the starting gate.

This experience was truly electrifying, and I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude toChris Victor for making this possible.

Several key aspects of this experience left a lasting impression on me.

For instance, the close proximity to the horses allowed for a captivating visual observation of the horses immediately prior to the race. Moreover, the atmosphere was surprisingly tranquil, with the starters and jockeys exchanging lighthearted remarks, creating an almost palpable sense of anticipation.

The sudden, sharp sound of the gates opening, accompanied by the thundering of hooves, was amazing..

This experience has deepened my respect for the starters, who must carefully guide 1,000-pound animals into the gate and SA as we know have the best team in horse racing as races go off on time regularly .

I strongly encourage everyone to experience this at least once.

The Harsh Reality of Chasing an NHC Seat: Is It Worth It?

The Harsh Reality of Chasing an NHC Seat: Is It Really Worth It?

For many horseplayers, the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) represents the ultimate dream—a title of prestige, a shot at life-changing prize money, and a chance to prove you're the best handicapper in the country. But for the average bettor, the journey to secure a coveted seat at the NHC is a grueling, often disheartening endeavor that drains both your wallet and your enthusiasm. So, just how much does it really cost, and is it truly worth it?

A Costly Gamble

The financial burden begins with a seemingly modest annual buy-in: $50 to join the NHC Tour. This fee grants you the right to compete for NHC seats, but it’s only the start of an expensive and often futile pursuit.

Most horseplayers start by entering feeder contests, which act as stepping stones to the main NHC qualifiers. These feeder contests typically cost $18 per entry, and only around 10% of players advance to a qualifier. That means you're likely to lose nine times out of ten, paying close to $200 just to get a single shot at moving up the ladder.

Once in the qualifier, the situation doesn’t get any better. Now, you’re up against 150 or more players, with only one or two seats available. Your odds are 1 in 65 at best, and even the most seasoned players will tell you that qualifiers can be unforgiving. After all this time, money, and effort, many horseplayers walk away with nothing—except for frustration and an empty bank account.

The Hidden Costs

While the entry fees themselves seem manageable at first glance, the reality is far more daunting. The average bettor will spend thousands of dollars entering feeders and qualifiers in a given year, hoping to secure an elusive NHC seat. Most estimates put the figure at $4,000 to $5,000 for an average player, but for many, that’s a lowball. It’s not uncommon for players to spend far more—without ever getting close to a seat.

If you’re among the fortunate few with disposable income, the costs might not be a big deal. But for the vast majority of horseplayers, it’s a constant drain on finances. Spending $3,000, $5,000, or even more—just for the slim chance of getting a seat—can be incredibly demoralizing. Many people spend years trying and never get in, while their wallets and spirits take a serious hit.

Competition uses HTR software ($119 a month)

HTR (Handicappers’ Thoroughbred Racing) software, developed by Ken Massa and distributed through Handicappers Data Warehouse (HDW), is a tool used by some NHC players. It costs $119 per month for a subscription, which provides access to advanced data and analytics derived from HDW’s comprehensive race files. This includes proprietary ratings like the “K” rating (a composite handicapping score), velocity-based metrics, and longshot indicators that aren’t readily available in standard past performances (like those from Daily Racing Form or Equibase). The software’s focus on identifying overlays—horses whose odds offer value relative to their true chances—and its ability to crunch data quickly give users an edge in spotting potential longshots, which are critical in NHC-style tournaments. In these contests, separation from the field often hinges on hitting a few high-odds winners, as favorites rarely provide enough points to climb the leaderboard.

For the “regular player” without HTR, the disadvantage isn’t necessarily insurmountable, but it’s real. Most casual horseplayers rely on publicly available data—past performances, speed figures, and basic stats—which lack the depth and customization of HTR’s outputs. HTR users can analyze obscure patterns (e.g., trainer tendencies, pace scenarios, or first-time routers) and test strategies with historical data, things that take hours to replicate manually. The software’s tournament-specific module, HTR_TOUR, is tailored for contest play, helping users prioritize longshots with solid underpinnings rather than just guessing at bombs. This gives HTR subscribers a strategic advantage, especially in a field of 600-800 entries where only the top 10% advance to the final day.

Players with Dual Entries and spouses can overwhelm the solo player.

In the NHC, friendships and family ties—like wives and friends coordinating picks—give some players an edge. They might split strategies across entries, boosting one to the top. Collusion is banned under Rule 34, and in 2023, three players (Scully, Jayne, Pauly) were caught rigging five entries, losing $95,400 after audits. With 600-800 entrants, such schemes can overwhelm solo players. Dual-entry players benefit most, while public picks and audits curb cheating—but only after the fact. Single-entry players struggle against these networks.

The Frustration Builds

The pursuit of an NHC seat is a grind, and for most, it’s an endless cycle of entering feeders, barely scraping by, then losing out in the qualifiers. Each failed attempt feels like a step backward, both financially and mentally. As the costs pile up, so does the frustration, leaving many horseplayers questioning why they even bother.

For every rare success story, there are countless players who have spent thousands of dollarsand invested hours of their lives with nothing to show for it. The odds are stacked heavily against you, and the emotional toll can be just as brutal as the financial one.

Is It Really Worth It?

While the dream of the NHC title is alluring, the reality is that the vast majority of horseplayers will never come close. You’re not just playing against the odds—you’re playing against your own persistence and ability to keep pouring money into a system that, for most, offers nothing in return.

Before diving headfirst into this pursuit, you have to ask yourself: Is it really worth spending thousands of dollars and countless hours on a chase that, for most, ends in disappointment? Unless you have deep pockets or an iron will, the answer might be no.

For many bettors, the harsh truth is that chasing an NHC seat is a losing game, one that comes with far more risk than reward. If you're thinking about taking the plunge, consider this: most people who chase the NHC dream don’t win, and many are left asking themselves if they should have quit before they even started.

-TrackGabe

3/11/2025

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