Unlike most other types of betting, horse races in North America have a long and rich history. Organized racing began in New Amsterdam in 1664 with British occupation. Col. Richard Nicolls established organized racing in the colonies, laying out a 2-mile course on the plains of Long Island, named Newmarket, after a British racecourse. He offered a silver cup to the winner, establishing the standards of excellence. Up until the American Civil War, the hallmark of excellence was stamina, a trait that remained until the end of the Civil War, when speed became the goal.
Standard wagers
There are several standard wagers for horse races. In addition to your standard win bets, you can also place exotic wagers. Exotic bets include the QUINELLA and DOUBLE. While these are more difficult to win than standard bets, the payouts can be substantial. If you’re a beginner, you might want to start with the EXACTA bet. These bets are the most common type of exotic bet.
One way to be sure to find the best horse is to look at the form. Horses are listed by number during the race. The number next to a horse’s name may also be the jockey’s shirt color. The number is usually correlated to previous performance. You’ll also want to take note of the track. Some tracks have shorter distances than others, and some horses wear blinkers. You can also compare past performance and track conditions by consulting horse racing forms.
Claim races
Claim races in horse racing are Thoroughbred races in which all horses are for sale at a certain price until a few weeks before the race. Claim races are the lowest rung in the horse racing hierarchy, below maiden races. The following paragraphs provide information on claiming races and their place in the horse racing hierarchy. Listed below are some of the most common types of claiming races:
Claim races in horse racing are a great way to save money while still having a chance at winning a big race. To claim a horse, it must be registered with the racing commission and checked for soundness before being dropped into the box. Every year, thousands of horses are claimed. A chart below shows how many claimers are made each year and their cost at different tracks. Claiming races are popular among investors because they offer an excellent opportunity to buy a horse for a fraction of the price.
Class of a horse
When you are selecting a race to invest in, consider the class of a horse in horse race. You will want to consider the horse’s history, its last 12 runs, and the competition in its class. If you are placing a bet on a $5 race, consider the horse’s past performances and whether he is likely to succeed in that class. A late bloomer may have more speed than the other horses in the race, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be a better bet.
To determine the class of a horse, check the race sheet header. This will tell you the horse’s current race level. Compare it to the Race Class Level on the Race Header. The higher the race level, the more difficult the race will be. When a horse finishes 5th or better, he’s likely to be competitive in today’s race. If, however, the horse finishes a distance of ten lengths shorter than the winner, it’s probably not the best choice.