Handicapping Basics

Basic Thoughts
Race Track
The Tote Board
Time Conversion
Odds and Payoffs
Reading the Program

Basic Thoughts on Handicapping
This is a basic overall view of some of the important points inHandicapping Greyhounds. For those of you that would like to learn more, we will soon be listing several different books that are available on Greyhound and Horse RacingHandicapping in our Classified area.

Early Speed / Front Runners:
There are two types of early speed greyhounds.One type shows a strong break out of the box -the break call is approximately four lengths from the starting box.The other type tends to break moderately and then rush or drive the firstturn.

Late Speed / Closers:
Late speed greyhounds generally show a somewhat slow break out of the box.They come to the 8th call following the pack. From here on out is wherethe closers run their race. Some may show a gradual gain throughoutthe race, while others, which I refer to as drivers, wait until late in therace tomake their move. This type of a runner pushes hard in the stretch passing many of the greyhounds and should never be underestimated.

Class:
Determining the class of the race can be tough sometimes.This can depend on the stats you have available to you. Look firstto find the one showing the most "in the money" finishesat the current grade racing. Next, look for grade drops andhow competitive the greyhound was in the higher grade. Class tends to bea much stronger variable in higher grade races.

Time:
This variable brings many arguments between handicappers.Some tend to place this factor at the top of the list, while othersconsider this lightly. Speaking for myself, I have found a strongcorrelation with the greyhounds having the fastest times generallywill also be the class of the race.

Heart:
This factor can be gauged as seen in our stats. If a greyhound exhibits heart he shows the ability and determinationto come back after finding trouble. This type of greyhound will either finish in the money or make a strong attempt to do so.

Trouble:
How many times have you heard "If he wouldn't have gotten intotrouble, he could have won." Trouble to me is the toughestvariable you will find in handicapping. “It is found in every race.”Sometimes with only one or two greyhounds, but usually several.Coming into the first turn is where most of the trouble occurs. This iswhere the early speed/front runners can benefit by being out of harms way.The positive aspect of trouble is that it produces the higher payoffs.When selecting your key greyhound in a wager consider his trouble percentage. If he shows a high percentage of trouble and doesn'tseem to benefit by his post position, look to another greyhoundas a key.

Track Preference:
Knowing where on the track a greyhound likes to run can be veryimportant. Out of the starting box, some may reach this area withoutcausing trouble.Others may tend to slash or cut to the rail or outside. A greyhound that tends to run the rail and is positioned to the right of an midtrack orwide runnermay find it hard to make their way around the other. This is trueespecially ifboth greyhounds tend to break the same.Some handicappers will play off this type of a situation. Lookingto a greyhound who's running style and post position will keep him clear of any possible trouble.