RACE ANALYSIS

Most of the time when we analyze a race we are trying to zero in on the potential winner,  but analyzing a race for the purposes of playing a 10-cent superfecta involves a little more work.

When handicapping for the 10-cent superfecta, I find it helpful to divide the field into groups.  This is particularly useful when faced with a field of TEN or more horses.  I recommend using the following three groups:

Group A: Horses you think could finish 1st or 2nd

Group B: Horses you think could finish 3rd or 4th

Group C: Horses you think will finish "off the board"

(NOTE: "Off The Board" is a horse racing term to describe horses that finished 5th or worse in any particular race.  Traditionally, after a race is run, only the numbers of the first four finishers are displayed on the tote board.  The rest of the horses are considered to have finished "off the (tote) board" because their numbers are not displayed). 

When I handicap a race for a potential 10-cent superfecta bet I briefly take a look at each horse in the race and try make a quick assessment of its chances and then mark the horse

with either an A, B or C.  I don't spend a lot of time doing this. I just go with my first impression.

I simply want to "skim" through the race to determine if it is a good 10-cent superfecta betting opportunity for me.  This approach gives me a good "read" on the race before I can get trapped into the eventual "zigging" and "zagging".

I will know immediately if this is a good betting race for me depending on how many horses I have marked with a "A".  If I have between 3 and 5 horses marked "A" then I feel I have pretty good "read" on the race and it is worthy of my time and money.
 

Also, during this process I have identified my potential 3rd/4th place finishers ("B" horses) and my "off the board" horses ("C" horses) which will assist me in structuring my 10-cent superfecta bet and in keeping costs down.

Remember, not every race presents a good 10-cent superfecta betting opportunity.  If you can limit your play to races that you have a good "read" on you will increase your chances of winning!

If you want to learn more about playing the 10-cent superfecta, be sure and get my book, The 10-Cent Superfecta Betting Guide.

Paul Lambrakis

October 11, 2007