Turf Handicapping Methods

Been doing some research lately with horse handicapping methods. I have found that in turf races, with their different pace scenarios and race riding strategies, the approach should be somewhat different than in dirt or synthetic races.

On dirt or synthetic, especially in sprints, horses are pushed from start to finish and gradually the whole field will begin to slow down the longer the race progresses. The winner is usually the horse that slows down at a lesser rate than the others.

On the turf, jockeys are looking to position themselves early to be in place for the all out run from the top of the stretch to the wire. The early pace in turf racing is usually very slow and late speed is what will win. What we should look for are the horses that finish the last portion of the race in under 24 seconds per quarter mile at today's class level or higher. So, in one mile races on the grass, the final quarter should be run in 24 seconds and under. In one mile and one sixteenth races, it should be run in under 30 seconds and in one mile and one eighth races, it should be run in under 36 seconds.

The method to use to find out a horse's final fraction is to note the time at the pace call, usually the three-quarter mark, subtract that from the final time and also subtract one fifth of a second for each length gained or add one fifth of a second for each length lost in the final fraction.

The other major factor to consider in turf races is class. "Class on the grass" still holds true. Classier animals will just outfinish the competition. Horses dropping in class or staying at the same level who have performed well recently on the grass and who can finish fastest will win more than their share of races.

Horses with class advantages that have been running longer than today's race and are proven at today's distance are good bets also. This is due to the stamina building that results from the longer distances. They will still have that closing kick in them and should finish well enough to win in most cases. There is nothing stronger than stamina and determination along with the class that goes with it when looking for a winner on the turf.

Del Mar Saturday Free Selection

Today we will release one of our Del Mar plays as a free selection here. In the 2nd race, we are going with the number 2 horse, Dee Rain. He is dropping back down to the level of his last win and is working sharply for his return having last raced on June 8th. Martin Pedroza will ride and we expect a big effort here at around 10 to 1 odds.

For information about all of our Del Mar selections and sports selections including the upcoming NFL season, go to: http://www.vegasturfandsports.com/

Free Selection From Vegas Turf And Sports

Today's free selection is a baseball total again. The Phillies and Mets square off in an early Thursday game with Moyer and Perez pitching. The total is at 9.5 under -1.30 and we are jumping on the under before it moves to 9 as it has in some places already.

We have two horses going today at Del Mar for our members at http://www.vegasturfandsports.com/. We have had a few nice winners over at the seaside oval since the meet started last Wednesday, and are showing a slight profit with flat bets. Seems that the number one handicapping factor down there is trainer angles and the longer the meet goes, the better we will get at uncovering nice winners at juicy prices.

Free Selection For Tuesday July 22nd

Today we are releasing one of our baseball plays here as our free selection. We are going with the Twins-Yankees game over 9.5. The line is -1.05. Take the over.

Visit www.vegasturfandsports.com for all of our available handicapping packages. We have several very affordable plans and we are gearing up for the NFL Exhibition season. We have also started the Del Mar meet very strong with three winners the first week out of 7 selections with an average mutuel of $11.80.

Twins-Yankees Over 9.5 minus 1.105

Del Mar Free Selection For Monday July 21st

Today we are taking a longshot in the fourth race. This is a maiden event at one mile on the turf and a wide open affair. Looking for a price with a horse named Trufflesfromheaven, trained by Mike Puype and ridden by Brice Blanc.

These types of races regularly produce nice payoffs and "Truffles" has a nice shot to win this one.

Del Mar Free Selection For Friday July 18th

This evening's card features the CTBA Stakes for 2-year old fillies and goes as the 7th race. I think that Wesley Ward's trainee Streaming Heat has a big chance here. Ward is very good with 2 year olds and he places her here with strong intentions. She has had four nice works since her maiden win June 5th at Hollywood and her breeding suggests she loves sprinting.

Del Mar 7th Race-#5 Streaming Heat

Del Mar Opens With Record Crowd

There were over 43,000 people at Del Mar yesterday on opening day, a new record. I was watching to see how the track was playing and after the first race, I thought that it was going to be like last year. In the 1 mile event on the Polytrack, two horses sped away from the field and burned each other up, allowing the closers to come like a giant wave from the Pacific through the stretch as the two frontrunners tired badly.

I think that it was just too fast an early pace because in the ninth and final race of the day, a maiden claiming race, the winner went straight to the front and led all the way. Closers bias? Not sure yet as one day of racing is not enough to really come to any conclusion. The final times for the races on the Poly were slow, but the early fractions were not too bad. We are going to have to see some more races to acertain whether there is any type of bias present. Of course, we will attempt to take advantage of anything we do notice as far as surface is concerned.

We had a total of five plays yesterday winning with two. Our 4th race selection Carona Time would up dead-heating for the win after a very wide trip into the stretch. Carona Time paid $5.40 to win. The other winner was a good one, Dixie Chatter in the eighth race, the second division of the Oceanside Stakes. Dixie Chatter paid $15.00.

We look to have at least three solid plays a day over at Del Mar. Sign up for a membership package at www.vegasturfandsports.com.