Twin Spires Club
 
Player Reward Program

Playing To Win

Home Handicapping 101 Handicapping 201 Handicapping 301

Homemade Trip Notes

As we said, trip handicapping is very subjective, but it's also closely tied with track bias and the pace of the race. An interesting analogy of how trip handicappers see things differently: the 2004 Arlington Million involved an inquiry in deep stretch between the top four finishers. Ultimately, the stewards disqualified Powerscourt, who finished first, and placed him fourth, making Kicken Kris the official winner (Click here to view the Arlington Million video). The decision was controversial from the fans standpoint, and if you asked several people about the final outcome, you would get plenty of different viewpoints. In a nutshell, the stewards had to decide if that part of the trip cost any of the horses a better placing. Normally, you'd use this method for the next race, but in the case of the stewards, it's rather instantaneous.

While there are plenty of obvious or severe problems that anyone can see in a race, the trip handicapper is looking for the subtle to give them an edge. As we said, everyone has access to the charts and their comment/trouble lines through the program or the Form. To create your own trip notes, you can go to the video replays or just watch the race itself.

Watching the replays can be a tricky business, particularly if you are at some simulcast parlor trying to find the "hidden" trouble on a small or faraway television. However, it's always a plus to check out the head-on replay that some tracks show, as you get a completely different view of the race. Note: the stewards use the head-on in conjunction with the normal "pan" shot to keep notes on the events unfolding. It is difficult to tell which horse is which in the head-on, so make a note of jockeys' silks or other distinct marks prior to checking out this view.

If you're going to trip handicap live at the track, find a good vantage point to watch for critical events. Remember that, for the most part, trouble occurs at the start and entering or in both turns. This isn't a steadfast rule, but if you're just starting out, paying closer attention to these areas will help you down the road. Wherever you sit, you'll have to train yourself to keep your eyes on the whole field, not an easy task at first, but ultimately a rewarding one. Also, keep in mind that the television coverage focuses on the leaders, so by watching the back of the back you may note some trouble that goes undetected on any replay.

When you're evaluating a race, you're looking for potential for future races. That comes in different forms in addition to trouble lines. After a sprint race, take a look at which horses gallop out strongly past the wire - it's a sign that they are crying out for more distance. Conversely, horses stopping in route racing could need a return to shorter distances. Look at horses racing on the dirt that have "high-stepping" strides - they are often better suited for turf racing.

These are just a few examples: For more info on trip handicapping, check out:

Handicapping Icon

Play a Game

305-Trip Handicapping