Dave Feldman is the kind of wise guy that everybody loves to hang around.
He is a sports caster, a track announcer, a newspaper columnist, a horse handicapper, a trainer and an owner. To put it as bluntly as possible, Feldman knows the score around a race track. And he can write about it with hilarious -- and telling -- results.
I just finished reading Feldman's book about his life at the track. 'Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda' is must read for any horseplayer. If you play the horses, I recommend you get your hands on a copy of the book as quickly as possible.
Most horse players who think they are good handicappers don't really know what they are doing, according to Dave. They rely on workouts when the workout boy riding the horse might weigh 50 pounds more than the jockey. They make other mistakes and bet on horses that have no chance of winning.
Feldman calls them track idiots and in many cases, he is correct.
His humor and writing style is precious. I smiled and laughed out loud on almost every page.
Feldman worked as a columnist for Chicago newspapers for more than 70 years before passing away at the age of 85. He was one of the most colorful sports announcers and columnists of all time and he always leveled with his readers as well as the owners who hired him to train their horses.
I thought I was a decent handicapper, but I am a Boy Scout compared to Feldman. Here are some of his handicapping tips for people who want to make money at the race track:
WHEN SELECTING a horse, look at class, most recent races, trainer, condition of the track, post position and distance. Then check jockey, weight and workouts.
BET A HORSE running at the same claiming price or being raised a bit. Don't wager on a horse that lost its last race and raised in class.
WATCH OUT if a horse makes a big drop on the claiming price. That means the horse is hurting.
CHECK PREVIOUS RACES against better company. Was a horse beaten by 25 or 10 lengths. There is a big difference.
IF ALL THE HORSES are evenly matched, look for early speed. That gives a horse tremendous advantage over its competition. The horse won't be challenged and will have more in reserve for the stretch.
STAKES RACES are the easiest to handicap. Check the money won per start since the best horses usually have won the most money. Pick the horse that ran at the best tracks.
WHEN CHECKING the Daily Racing Form, go back three or four races. If the horse finished third, second, third and first, it has a better chance of winning than a horse that finished seventh, seventh, sixth and first.
RACE HORSES usually run every 10 days or two weeks. If he hasn't raced in a month, he is probably hurting. Remember that horses get into shape by being raced.
AFTER BEING RESTED, a horse needs one or two starts to run well and win.
IF BLINKERS ARE added to a young horse, give the animal an extra point or two.
IN BETTER RACES, a horse coming off a turf race will pick up speed when returning to a dirt track.
GO WITH A HORSE whose trainer shows he can win a good percentage of his races.
IF THERE IS only one speed horse in a race, it will have an advantage over its competition.
A HORSE COMING off a route is likely to be fit, but watch out if the animal is meeting quality speed horses.
A GOOD JOCKEY lets a horse run its best race by keeping it out of trouble.
IS THE TRACK fast or deep? If it is fast, the inside horses have the edge. If deep, look to the outside horses.
WHEN A HORSE wins big and is placed in a higher claiming race, that can be a good bet.
IF A HORSE'S morning line odds is 8-1 and it continues to drop in odds -- 6-1, 4-`, 3-1 up to post time, that is stable money, not public money going on the horse.
WATCH THE FIRST few races to see if the winners come from the inside or outside -- then act accordingly.
HORSES THAT ARE quiet in the paddock will usually run a better race than those that are acting up.
BET HORSES SADDLED by winning trainers. Stay away from the losers.
STAY AWAY from sloppy tracks. But remember that horses with early speed have an advantage in the mud.
Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.
(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).
