The Three Basic Components of Horse Racing You Must Understand to Pick Winners by Bill Peterson

Did you ever think of what the three basic components of horse racing are? If you are trying to pick winners at the races, you had better know and understand each one or winning will be very difficult. Many people will be surprised to realize that one of the components is something they overlooked.

Here are the three basic components...

1. The horse. Obvious isn't it? But what about the horse? How fast it will run today, right? But how about if it has ever accomplished the task you are asking of it today? Has it won on this surface at this distance against the same class of horses it is facing today? How long ago did that occur? Is it coming back after a layoff/rest? When you really get into it, there are so many things about the horse to be considered when comparing it with the other runners, it is amazing we ever have time for the next component.

2. The connections are what I consider the second most important component and without them meeting certain requirements, it is hard to find consistent winners. The connections, like the horse, have to demonstrate the ability to win. A jockey must have at least a 10 percent win average and ideally have own on this horse.

3. This last component may surprise some of you. It is you. The one player in the game whom you must absolutely understand to be successful is yourself. Know your strengths and weaknesses and also understand what you need to do to be a winner. Not only must you know these things, but you must also write them down. If you can't write them down and face the truth, then it is time to find another game to play because horse racing is tough enough without depending upon a liar.

It is better to admit your weaknesses and to avoid situations that are difficult than to keep losing the same way. There is no shame in making a mistake or error in judgment, as long as you don't keep making the same mistake over and over.

Be able to evaluate yourself and your own performance in anything you do is a great strength and will help you in any area of life, not just horse racing.

About the Author

Learn how an insider handicaps horse races by visiting Bill's website at http://williewins.homestead.com (Horse Racing Handicapping with Willie's). To see the systems Bill uses, go to http://williewins.homestead.com/handicappingstore2.html (Bill's Handicapping Store) Bill Peterson has been in horse racing for 50 years. "Horse Racing is in my blood."