One of the problems with this endeavor is that no one knows for sure how difficult or easy it may be to actually show a profit and to consistently stay ahead. Those who can do this are pretty secretive about it, for obvious reasons. I've been going to the races for over 50 years and I can truthfully say that the number of people whom I've known who were obviously making money could be counted on one hand.
I've known some folks who made a profit every time they went to the track. They're known as employees. The rest of us, whether handicappers, grooms, trainers, owners, or jockeys, take our chances and it is a rough and tumble life. If you like roller coaster rides, then being a professional handicapper should appeal to you. My own success has varied over the years. I am a systems player and always looking for an edge. Sometimes, when I managed to figure out an angle or method to identify horses who were under priced by the crowd, I did alright.
But there are no guarantees and what works well today may not work tomorrow. It seems you no sooner start making a profit and figure you have the game figured out when along comes a change in the weather, track conditions, or the season ends and it is time to move to the next track with a whole new set of variables.
I have learned a few things that I don't mind passing along to other players. Some of this may be old hat to some of you while others may find it useful. If you've been doing this long enough you know enough to listen to everything and then cherry pick the best and usable items and discard the rest. That's how real horse players operate. It is an information game.
First of all, let me say this. If you don't learn to properly manage money, the best handicapping system or method in the world won't help you. Start getting it right with the money. Good money management will get you through times of bad handicapping better than good handicapping will get you through times of bad money management. If you can excel at only one thing, then be a betting expert. Know everything about betting to the minutest detail including breakage, odds, and angles. Take advantage of any perk or offer any race track or online betting service offers. Sometimes that 1 or 2 percent they offer back may be your only profit.
Another pitfall of being an avid horse player is that it gets to be all consuming and takes over lives. Keep it in perspective and never ever judge yourself by your success at the race track. There is a lot more to being a human being than just how well you can spot a good bet. Though any success at the races is something to be proud of, success as a human, father, spouse, friend, is much more important. If betting starts to get bigger than you or crowding important people out of your life, then stop and get help.
Some people have asked me what I consider horse racing to be in my life. I always tell them it has been an adventure. If you look at horse racing handicapping and betting as an adventure, it will be better than thinking of it as something more important or essential. It is like going on a trip. You are the same person when you get back home that you were when you left, though you may have learned some things along the way.
Keep accurate notes and chart your progress. When you go on a trip you take photos and use maps. The same should be true of horse racing handicapping. You want to learn from your experience so keep notes that you can refer to so that you'll know where you've been and how far you've come. Any time I've managed to create a good winning system for myself or have made a profit, it is because I wrote something down and then had it when I needed it.
So along with keeping things in perspective, I'd say the two most important horse racing tips I can give you would be, become a money manager and a betting expert and keep notes.
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