There is a lot of information out there about how to handicap a horse race. But it is just as important to have a solid wagering strategy. I have been wagering on the races for more than 10 years, and it has taken me that long to figure out how to develop a decent wagering strategy. I can now at least breakeven during a typical 8 race afternoon. Being able to routinely recover from lost wagers is the first step to preserving your bankroll.
A recent example was on a day where I was down $25. It was down to the last race at Golden Gate Fields, and I was ready to quit for the day. I usually don’t have success with wagers at this track, but I saw an opportunity in the 10-horse field. With no clear favorite, the #10 Mob Boss at 3/1 was being ridden by Assael Espinoza. I put a $3 win bet on the 10 and a $1 exacta with the 10 on top with the 6 and 9 underneath. The 9 horse with Brayan Pena in the saddle broke for the lead with the 10 horse close behind. The 10 passed the 9 by 1/2 length at the wire. The win bet paid $12 and the exacta paid $19.30, for a total of $31.30. So, I was able to recover the money I had lost.
You are not going to get rich playing like this, but it gives you a chance to play another day. It gives you a chance to look for the next long shot or multi-race wagering opportunity. I often look for pick 4’s that have no more than one maiden race in the sequence and at least one leg that has a horse that I can single. If you can get one or two races with a 4/1 or 5/1 winner, the payout will often be 4 or 5 times the cost of your $12 or $18 pick 4 wager. If this fails, go back to the win and exacta wagers to build your bankroll up again.