Track Surface Affects Wagering in Horse Racing
Studying the Tracks in Horse Racing is a Must to be Successful
When wagering on horse racing, bettors will find races run on dirt and on turf. The surface is important whether you are betting on a significant horse racing event like the Breeders’ Cup or just a typical day at another track. Track surface matters.
Key Points
– Always pay attention to the track surface before wagering on horses.
– The condition of the track and a horse’s ability on a certain surface play a role in wagering on horses.
Another Day at the Track
Although it may not seem like it, handicapping horse races depends upon the track that the horses are running on. Sportsbooks have odds for both.
Many casual horse bettors might not be aware of the difference between racing on dirt and turf. Turf racing is simply racing on grass, whereas dirt racing occurs on a surface that is typically made up of clay and gravel on top of some sand and dirt.
Turf racing is much less common in North America than dirt racing. Most smaller horse tracks don’t have a turf surface. In Europe, turf racing is much more common and is even the norm in many countries.
It can take a lifetime to figure out how to handle the differences between the two types of racing. Here are some things to think about when wagering on horses if you’re just starting out and need some inspiration.
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A Starting Point for Wagering on Horses
Simply put, horses that excel on dirt are very different from horses that excel on turf. There are numerous sports analogies we can use to get this point across.
For instance, Roger Federer was almost unbeatable when playing tennis on grass in his prime. He was not a great player on clay, but Rafael Nadal has been the dominant clay court player of this generation. He has won 14 French Opens since 2005.
Think about golf where some players are rewarded for their accuracy on tighter courses. Golfers with big drives do better on longer courses.
It’s the same in horse racing. Before exerting themselves in a late-race hard charge, the majority of horses that do well on turf start the race more methodically and strategically. On dirt, early speed is more typical.
However, a turf course frequently requires more energy to move over than a dirt track does. This is especially true when the turf is wet or soft. A soft turf course can benefit horses with greater endurance and more effective movement.
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Breeding and Handicapping of Horses
Horses that perform best on turf are typically bred to run on turf. Horses that perform best on dirt are typically bred to run on dirt. In essence, that indicates that both their sire and dam have proven to be capable of running over turf or dirt.
Horse bettors read a lot about pedigree analysis before major races. If you don’t, you should start. Although a horse not bred for turf can still perform admirably on dirt, it is important to understand the history of the horse’s breeding.
Past Results Affect Wagering on Horses
If you want to bet on horses all year long, part of your horse handicapping strategy should involve researching a horse’s past results on various surfaces. The best way to foretell how well they will perform in the future is to start here. Then, make sure to check the latest daily track odds.
If a horse has previously excelled on turf, he is obviously a turf horse. When a horse has trained on a surface they have never attempted to run on, you can judge how well-prepared they are for the race.
The Surface’s Condition
The condition of the surface can impact wagering on horses just as much as the type of surface, whether it is dirt or turf.
The primary factor in both cases is the amount of recent rainfall. In the event that it has recently rained, the turf may be soft or yielding. The horses will dig deeper into the track with each step than they would normally, requiring more effort to move.
On a soft track, explosive horses have a difficult time building up speed. This suggests that in this situation endurance is more crucial than speed.
Races won’t be run on a turf track that is too wet in order to safeguard the horses and the turf. When that happens, the race will be run on dirt, and many of the horses will usually opt out of competing. If the weather is bad, it’s important to make sure a race on turf is actually happening.
If there hasn’t been much rain, the turf may become very hard. Your betting may be significantly impacted by this. Keep that in mind to make a profit when horse betting.
When it rains, the dirt becomes sloppy. The faces of horses who are not in the lead will receive a lot of mud kickback. Some horses really don’t enjoy that and their performance reflects that.
Wagering on Horses and Jockeys
Jockeys are essential to every race, just like the right place to bet. Jockeys contribute in different ways and the track surface can determine their contribution. For example, early on in a race, turf racing is more tactical.
Because dirt races tend to focus less on the start of the race, they can have more aggressive moves and faster speeds. Some jockeys perform better on turf than others and vice versa.
As part of your horse handicapping, check the win percentage and experience of a jockey. Then, do the same looking for a comparison of how he has done on different surfaces.
Changing Surfaces
Horses frequently change their running surfaces, so handicappers must take this into consideration. It usually happens when a horse isn’t performing to its full potential. A surface change can help a horse get out of a slump.
When something changes, the majority of the time all you have to do is see if the horse can handle it. Trainers occasionally switch a sore or battered dirt horse to turf for a few races because turf is friendlier than dirt.
This allows horses to heal and regain their full health. When they switch back to the original track, they might put forth a stronger effort than expected.
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