After a rough beginning to my 2025 horse betting season, I took a break from the sport in early July. I didn’t start again until late October. During that 4-month period I still made my weekly pick 4 selections but didn’t wager any money. I made a few adjustments to the data I was using to handicap the races and recorded the results. It seems to have made a big difference, as my results in November and December were more positive.
In the last month I placed 38 wagers with $155 and won $380. Two of the four pick 4’s I placed won $266. The two I lost were only by one race. During the year I deposited $390 and had $621 in winnings. I placed 195 wagers during the year, and my biggest win was $167.45. I placed one pick-5 that lost in the last race. It was only a $12 wager, but it still hurt after having picked winners in the first four legs.
My new routine is to look at the stakes racing schedule and choose a pick 4 for the upcoming Saturday. In the days leading up to the race, I analyze data for each horse in the 4-race sequence. On the day of the race, I look at Equibase Smart Picks, TimeForm Analyst’s Verdict, and 1/ST Bet’s top handicapping factors. This is mainly to confirm my selections. Most free online handicapping predictions are only correct about half the time. I use them to see if my own analysis matches or if I need to look closer at a horse that I may have overlooked. Equibase has started a ranking system for racehorses. The highest ranked horse doesn’t usually win, but it helps identify the top contenders. Good luck in the 2026 racing season!