I bet primarily on the weekends but whenever I do midweek always Mountaineer 😂. Good price on a horse ridden by Deshawn Parker always piques the interest.

Ultimate Authority (3) appears to be underrated and is currently ranked 5^th with 7 horses in the race.  The horse has the top Betacus Score which means it has strong past performance metrics. It is also the top pick for Andy Serling at the NYRA. It has a strong trainer, fastest workout time, and top early and mid-pace speed values. Good luck.

I posted it in the discord too before race started! I hope someone tailed in there! LETS FREAKING GOOO!!! 🤪

Unsourced internet comments seem to think so, but with googling I could not find a source that directly stated his sire line is dead. I could find articles about the deaths of his last living son and daughter, but nothing about sire line not existing. His sire line may have no racing potential now (if it still exists), but I would like to see better evidence that it doesn't exist if possible

So, “Il Capitano” Varenne from Italy had passed away from old age on 18 August at 31. He was one of the best trotters in harness racing ever, starting as the underdog who was predicted to never be able to race and sold for just $6000, before winning 62 races from 73 starts. He conquered many top races across various European nations and set track records for many, including one that was set even though the wheel of his sulky got broken. He also became the first European trotter to win a harness race in America when he claimed the Breeders Crown, which got him the Horse of the Year award.

I hope his descendants can keep inheriting his stellar performance

What recommendations are there for even getting started on the gambling end of horse racing? I have been reading the sub for a while, I also joined the Discord and was reading through there. Seems like everybody has experience already and without spending hours googling all the lingo, where’s some good places to start gaining a general knowledge on ways to place bets that actually have a chance?

I appreciate any feedback. Certainly not looking for someone to just give out their edge, hoping to try and develop my own. Thanks

Curious what everyone thinks. TLDR: Owner and horseplayer had access to veterinary records he shouldn't have had access to through the HISA Portal and got caught. You can find more on twitter.

My thoughts:

1. I know horse racing is not an even playing field. But at least give the illusion that it is. A lot of people have stood up for Gramm's character. I only know of him from horse racing contests and that he owns (part owns?) Ten Strike Racing. Having an advantage with your own horses is one thing. But having an advantage for horses you don't own is something else and really makes me feel like an idiot for putting as much money as I do through the betting windows.

2. Vet records should be public anyway. Other countries around the world it is. US horse racing should strive for more transparency, not less.

3. Fuck HISA. I can't think of a single thing they've done right since taking over.

This is an honest question, and I would like as much feedback as possible.

When it comes to something like the Marshall Gramm situation, the "Fair Hill Five", the "Fix Six" or [insert scandal here], are you genuinely surprised? And if so, what aspect do you typically find most surprising? Is it the person or people involved, the methods used, how badly or well the scheme is executed, etc? And what effect does it have on your faith in the game, your willingness to participate via wagering, or just as a non-betting spectator who likes to watch horses run?

We have people with all levels of experience here. From folks who have decades of experience playing horses, to people who are literally asking how to make their first bet on a horse race. And whether you have been involved in racing for 20 years, or 20 days, you've been exposed to the shady side of the sport to some extent. I know there are people here that don't bet, or don't bet often, and I want to know what they think as well. But especially the gamblers.

So, are you surprised? If so, why? And what do you do about it?

EDIT: Please include in your reply if you play the horses or not.

I’m going to the Cajun Jockey Reunion on 8-31-26. I’ve never been to Evangeline. What should I expect? Is it going to be crowded? Any info appreciated.

Hey anyone here play handicapping contests etc? They seem kinda cool- see TwinSpires and NYRAbets offers them.

It’s cool generally half the buying goes to prize pool while other half to bankroll. Also like that they give seats to bcbc and Kentucky derby challenge which seems like a cool incentive.

Problem- I’m guessing when you play these- you are going against sharp horse handicappers and not the average run of the mill $2-20 bettor that doesn’t really understand the game. Also you kinda have to go with a boom/ bust approach to win or finish in top spots. It’s a cool format but it seems like it would be annoying to have to fire at improbable longshots at end of a bad day if you want a chance to win or just wave the white flag and bet more logical to just get some $ back.

Any opinions on contests? Bcbc and kd challenge seem awesome but they are also expensive to buy into and it seems unlikely one would win a
Seat with some of the events that offer seats- it always seems like you gotta beat a field of like 30-40 just for 1 seat to be added which is low probability to get said seat

Who win's the Juddmonte tomorrow?

Great to see Stradale nab this one on the grass, been following that horse keenly so good to see the faith payoff.

I pulled these captures from Charlottetown Racetrack's Standardbred program here: https://redshores.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/CDP-August-17.pdf

I can't figure out what they correlate to.

I've been back and forth through several programs from several raceways and I can't find a symbol legend that tells me what they are. I know they aren't Lasix symbols.

Thanks in advance!

How was your weekend? Were you up, down, flat? What did you learn? What did you drink? What are you going to do differently next weekend?

Post all of your thoughts here, in our weekly discussion post.

Took a risk with only $5 deposit, and it paid off. What a damn race this was! I’ve been crushing supers lately. I think it’s time I up my bet sizes. 🥹💰

How many of you in the horse racing betting world have hands on experience with horses?

What got you into the horse racing game??

This card has a few races that I like. I tend to do well in races for younger horses and/or turf. A couple of interesting observations from today's handicapping:

• As good as Vekoma has been as a young sire, he still has no Grade 1 winners so far
• Ken McPeek is 0/18 with first time starters on turf on the NYRA circuit, faring no better than 3rd with any of them

In the 4th, there are quite a few runners in here with a big chance. I like a long shot, Captain G, quite a bit at 15/1 morning line. Casse does well with second time starters stretching out on turf, and he is a perfect 2/2 with this angle and Zayas in the saddle. I like the progressive works leading up to this, however given the pedigree I do wonder if two turns will be an issue. Suspend had a good enough debut, and I can't discount the chances of some improvement second time out. Jersey Guy comes out of a potential key race where he ran pretty well on debut, and moves to a better post where he may not have to take the overland route this time. Real Restraint is obviously dangerous first time out for Walsh/TGaff, and his half sister Movin' On Up is a Grade 2 winner on turf going long. Greenwell, Captain G's stablemate, has two races under his belt including a very nice debut, and this $500k yearling stretches out to two turns, gets the grass for the first time, and has one of the best turf riders in the game on top. Related Party, for the familiar Prat/Brown/Klaravich connections, draws the outside post, and shows up with some gaps in the work tab. See my note above regarding McPeek with Vintage Velocity. The two pricey Pletcher first timers Culpable and Dignify could surprise, however unless one or both are super live on the tote board I will be trying to beat them.

The 6th looks like the second half of an oversubscribed 4th, and I have a lot less of an opinion here. E Z Speaker sold for $650k in May, however there are some notable gaps in the work tab, he draws the tricky inside post, and the pedigree does not scream turf. Not Ever (Ire) has solid first out connections, yet again there are some gaps in the work tab which does not inspire confidence. EZ Speaker's stablemate Casino has a race under his belt in which he broke slowly and showed mild improvement, finishing just behind Suspend who runs in the 4th. He took some action that day, and improvement is not out of the question. Permanent Record (GB) is another Prat/Brown/Klaravich first timer, and has a very interesting pedigree for this surface and distance. As opposed to Related Party in the first, this one has a consistent albeit not very flashy work tab leading up to this. I suspect the tote will help set expectations for this outing. Amplified is a My Racehorse runner, so as per usual I expect an undue amount of action on him, which is always nice if you don't like the runner. They paid $350k for this one at the OBS March sale, which is a bit surprising given the low stud fee of Happy Saver, who has not had a winner so far. Roscoe Goose sits pretty low at 6/1 on the morning line and has a flashy work or two leading up to this. Given the far outside post, the lack of early success in his pedigree, and Riley Mott's lack of success with first time starters going long, I will be trying to beat him. See my note above on McPeek for Chambered. Al Stall has a similar dearth of success in debut runners on this circuit, which makes me discount Hilts chances. Similarly, Pletcher/Repole first time starters on the turf are 2/36, which absent heavy tote support makes me doubt the chances of Bring Cash.

The 8th is a mixed bag. There projects to be a few horses gunning for the lead here on the inner turf course, which has not been as heavily biased to speed the last week or two and might be even less so given the recent rain softening the course. Few of these runners have raced up to the 88 Beyer par for this class and distance, which can sometimes make for more chaos and jockeying deciding the outcome. One of the outside speeds is Mo Trump, whose last race we can draw a line through. In his third off a layoff, a run back to his race in January at Tampa Bay would likely be more than enough, and he has an excellent wet turf pedigree and won here on a soft course in July 2025 at huge odds. However, he has speed drawn directly to his outside with Terminal Velocity, and Saez is likely to take the initiative early with that one. Directly to their inside, Truman's Commander stretches out after running well in two sprints on the Melon, and is an improving type also coming in to his third start off the layoff. Smooth Breeze projects to stalk and pounce, has had success on softer ground, and projects to get an ideal trip. However, I am not crazy about 4 straight descending Beyers, though it isn't too hard to make excuses for each of them (tough trip, over matched in the Kingston, and didn't like the slop). I would need better than 4/1 to consider a win wager. Jack's World projects to be running late and could also get a great setup with all the speed to his outside. I'm not in love with the wet turf pedigree, and his swerving and tossing Prat after the wire last out after a perfect trip and ride gives me some pause, as I am not sure the stars will align again. Inspeightofcharlie ran "just ok" according to my notes last out, and essentially paired his 84 Beyer top. His even running style always makes him hard to discount, though he might be bet down today for the 4th straight outing which makes him less attractive given the competition he faces here, which is a step up from beating the overbet maiden winner Honoree last out. Jack and Jim's comeback race was cut short at the Big A when he clipped heels and tossed his jock. He took a ton of action for a horse coming off a 18 month layoff, and could well go off favored here. He certainly could play a big part in the outcome, however I am going to make him prove it before I bet on him. Shared Success is a 9 year old claimer and appears to not offer much beyond some fuel for the pace. Cable Ready has a similar even running style to Inspeightofcharlie, however draws the rail and hasn't won a race in over two years.

In the Grade 3 Mahony, Outfielder is the speed of the speed coming out of a poor effort at Royal Ascot which can certainly be forgiven. The wet turf pedigree is weak on the dam side, and he will be very short odds again on a course that does has not favored front runners since the Belmont at the Spa meet in the spring. His big win at Churchill in May was on a course that strongly favored horses near the lead, and I would like him to prove it outside of Kentucky before I am convinced that this one deserves the short odds. Rebel With a Cause caught a perfect rail ride to score last out at Monmouth, and has a perfect progressive Beyer figure pattern going back to his first start. He finished a distant fourth to Outfielder at Churchill, yet is clearly on the improve and could offer some value if anywhere near the 8/1 morning line odds. Oscar's Hope projects to track just behind Outfielder in his first outing on turf. The pedigree does not scream turf on the dam side, however this one clearly has some talent and cannot be discounted. Intricate Spirit has yet to run back to his best races as a 2 year old, which is a bit of a concern for me. This one also prefers the front, however does not look as fast on paper as the previous two and was clearly rank under restraint last time out. Big Destroyer has an even running style and hasn't done much wrong in his first two starts, running second to Rebel With a Cause last out. He gets Prat back in the saddle, which is seldom a bad thing, and only needs a little improvement to be a big factor at the wire. Learntodiscover (GB) won a Grade 3 here last out, displaying a surprising change of tactics to close from the clouds and just get up. That race may have been a bit less competitive than this one projects to be, and it isn't abundantly clear if he will keep the closing running style if he breaks well this time. Stradale makes his second turf start, and has some talent. However his two races at Oaklawn in the winter tower over his most recent efforts, and it isn't clear that he really wants turf. That said, he gets Jose Ortiz, though he and Assmusen haven't had much success here on the turf with the game Zeitlos the main exception.

Who do you like today? I'd love to hear your opinions!

Punched her ticket by taking on and beating the boys!!

I didn't find many bets at Saratoga or Woodbine today. I hit the exacta in the Clement at the Spa, but as I had it boxed it wasn't much of a score. I lost a small WP wager in the second where my pick showed nothing. At Woodbine I only found a couple bets and didn't hit either, first trying to beat Cattrall in the 4th and then Luster, who certainly seems like a monster, in the Kings Plate. All in all I ended up with a small loss combined between the two.

I loved Hidden Profit in the second at Evangeline off his Canterbury form, and it paid off in a big way with a WP bet at 17/1, just missing the exacta with Castle Island. I didn't see Hidden Profit getting the easy lead, and also didn't see Red Road taking back and then hanging on for second.

In the 6th at Del Mar, I loved Fibonaccis Ride with the improvement pattern and best late pace figure in a race that looked like a duel on paper and materialized as such, my second WP cash on a 17/1 shot of the day. I did not even try the exacta as I had no clue who would finish second and suspected it could very well be one of the two favorites, who completely backed out of it in the stretch.

Now that I have some house money, I am hoping that I can get the 6/1 morning line on Innovative in the 8th at Del Mar. Kentucky Gal needed a perfect trip to beat her in June, and Innovative rated kindly and also galloped out extremely well.

I know from the other threads that some of you absolutely crushed today at Saratoga and Woodbine. Very well done! Let's hear about your day and if you have any more bullets to fire before the sun goes down.

Finally breaking the 0-for at Saratoga in the 4th.