The Elements of a Handicapping Horse Race

Before you bet on a horse race, it is important to understand the various elements of a handicap. Some of these elements include the Dosage diagram, Breakage, and Placement. Listed below is a basic explanation of each of these elements. If you are not familiar with these elements, read on to get started. Also, keep an eye out for new ways to make money through horse racing. This article will cover some of the most important information regarding the different aspects of a handicap race.

Dosage diagram

Several methods are available to determine a horse’s potential. One of these methods is the Dosage Diagram, which shows how different ingredients affect a horse. This chart can be very useful when placing a bet on a horse race. In addition to being informative, a Dosage Diagram can help you make an informed decision. You may even be able to make a profit by following its recommendations.

Breakage

In horse races, breakage is the difference between the winnings and payouts of the race. Betting churn associated with breakage amounts to approximately $200 million annually. The Thoroughbred Idea Foundation estimates that breakage in horse races amounts to 0.45% of handle. This would represent a $200 million increase in handle in a single year. However, many believe that breakage is unjustly low. If breakage were eliminated, horseplayers would receive a greater share of winning dividends.

In North American horse racing, breakage is rounded to the nearest dime instead of a penny. The percentage of breakage in each dollar wagered is lower for the win-pool, but greater in show-only pools. Breakage is most noticeable in smaller pools, such as WPS and exotic pools, where the winnings are less than $1 million. For example, a win-pool bet in the Preakness in 2015 resulted in a payout of $2.80. For this bet, the breakage on Justify was $0.08.

Placement

Unlike in other sports, placing your bets in a horse race does not automatically guarantee you a winning spot. The position that you pick will depend on several factors. A horse drawn in the middle of the starting gate has a good chance of breaking well, but will most likely not lead the race. A horse drawn in the outside post position will likely be a slower runner, but may still save ground behind speed balls.

A horse in the rear can cut a corner on a bend or simply slipstream in the pack. It is usually the case that horses at the rear are trying to finish as fast and as late as possible in order to conserve energy. Their normal racing strategy is to finish wide and try to pass other horses in a short period of time. This strategy can help them finish well. However, placing a bet in the middle can also help you win money.