Betting claimers

seems more crap goes on there than allowance/stakes races. thinking bout never betting one again unless given an inside tip. What do ya'll think???

 

[Maxxer]

The claiming game is all about trainer tendencies.

DRF gives you some generic numbers: % off 1st claim, overall claiming win %. This is a start and can be helpful when dabbling. But, sticking to 1 or 2 tracks will allow you to really get a feel as to each trainer's intentions.

For example, a trainer claims a horse for say, 30K and is now running him for 20K. Is he dumping damaged goods or trying to steal a purse? If you can't make an educated guess you should probably pass the race.

You'll guess wrong many, many times because a trainer has to stay somewhat unpredictable. Like in poker, you can't raise only when you have the cards, you need to bluff now and again to stay honest. In the same respect, a trainer can't steal the purse every time...his horses would get claimed too often.

Hope this example helps.

 

good to see ya back glacken. using the poker analogy was sheer genious as I understand that! please post on my sat. thread if ya got any thoughts.

 

Sammy-claimers make up most races at pretty much every track. No reason to pass-good value. But Glacken is right-you have to know trainers. Some win 1st after claim-some never win first after claim (want to watch the horse once-see what's wrong-what it needs) I'd suggest you spend a few bucks at TSN for their Track Stats series (for every major circuit) and pay attention. The little bit of info DRF offers is not enough. Also-look into Tom Ainsley/Steve Davidowitz on the subject. Lots to learn-a big poker game-but you can often benefit on leaving the "sucker" horse-the one the public loads up on-out of your play.