In Search of Value

Each day gamblers compete with one another in a multitude parimutual pools, trying to find value in every race. Value means something a little different to everyone and can be found in a variety of ways. It could be a horse going off at 4-1 that someone thinks should be 5-2, wheeling a 20-1 plodder in the 3rd spot of a trifecta where a speed dual looks to develop, or an odds-on favorite that looks like a total throw out in multi-race exotics. Value isn’t only found in “life changing” pick-6 pools, it can be found in all pools, though there is a common theme to finding value: beating well-backed horses.

 

Being primarily a pace/speed figure handicapper, I am constantly trying to figure out how the early parts of a race will be run. Is there a lone speed runner that will threaten to wire the field? Does it appear that a multi-horse speed dual will develop and set things up for a stretch runner? These are very important questions that need answering before putting your hard-earned money through the betting windows, because if your horse doesn’t get the pace setup they need, you will be tearing up tickets more times than not.

 

One angle I love to use when throwing out “contenders” is a horse that appears to be a closer, but always loses ground in the stretch. These horses are not quick enough to get to lead early in races & since they never gain ground, they need the proverbial flying pig to win. These runners are scattered throughout past performances around the country & the beauty is these horses are usually in contention, so they get bet in virtually every start. If you can surmise that they are to be eliminated as win candidates, you’re on the road to bigger payoffs regardless of which pool you’re participating in.

 

 

 

Aweeoneinthebunker ran in the 3rd race at Hawthorne Race Course back on April 7, 2012. It was a $5,000 claiming race going 6 furlongs for horses who never won 3 races in their life, the same class level as her last 2 races. She was seen as a contender by evidence of her 3-1 morning line odds. Also entered were 2 or 3 other runners that figured to be ahead of Aweeoneinthebunker at the ½ mile pole. In her last start, she even passed horses when 5th after a ½ mile and finishing 3rd, though she lost 4 ½ lengths during that ¼ mile, while being sent off at $6.10-1. In the start on 3/10/12 she lost ¼ lengths while being well backed at $2.40-1. In fact, a glance at her races shows this is a common theme, with common results.

 

 

 

By checking the result chart, last Saturday was no different.  Aweeoneinthebunker was 3rd, 2 lengths off the leaders, after the first ½ mile, but checked in last, finishing 11 ¾ lengths behind the wire to wire winner. The public didn’t think she was some hopeless entrant that had no shot. In fact, she was sent her off at $2.80-1, but was an easy throw out! Opportunities like these present themselves every day, it is up to you to unearth these gems in the attempt to increase the value of your wagers.

 

Past performance courtesy of Brisnet & results chart courtesy of Equibase.

 

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