What It Means When a Horse Is Handicapped

Handicapped can describe different ideas: it may refer to a handicap race in which weights are assigned, or more generally to the bettor’s process of evaluating runners. Context matters.

If you are interested in EZ Horse Betting you will often hear bettors talking about how a horse is handicapped. This term can actually be used in two different contexts. One of them refers to betting and the other refers to a weight allowance in a certain type of race. To become an expert at picking race horse winners you should become familiar with these terms. What does it mean when a horse is handicapped? Read on for the answer.

Handicapped Does Not Mean a Horse is Physically Lame

Let’s begin by talking about what handicapped does not mean. It does not mean that the horse in question suffers from a physical ailment that would prevent it from running in a race. The term used for that would be lame.

Horses can have physical impairments; the racing term “handicap” is not a diagnosis. A horse can have physical issues which cause it to become lame or unable to compete. Some of these ailments can even end a horse’s racing career. Here are some of the issues that can cause a horse to become lame:

• A fracture in one of the delicate bones of the legs
• A ruptured tendon
• An injury affecting the bones of the lower leg
• Hoof issues such as a quarter crack

Usually a horse that is lame will either be given time off from racing or retired at the owner and trainer’s discretion. An example of this was Big Brown, the winner of the 2008 Kentucky Derby and 2008 Preakness Stakes. Before the 2008 Belmont, Big Brown was reported to have a quarter crack in his left front hoof. He was pulled up in that race; the existence of the crack does not by itself establish the cause of the defeat. A separate workout injury in October 2008 was reported as a grabbed quarter and led to his retirement. These are distinct incidents, described in contemporary Belmont reporting and the retirement report.

Handicap Horse Races

To say that a horse is handicapped can mean that the horse has been entered in a handicap race. As a condition of the race the horse will be assigned a weight which may exceed the weight carried by other horses in the race. This is referred to as a handicap, and that is what gives these races their name.

When the legendary Seabiscuit made his second attempt to claim the Santa Anita Handicap, the horse was assigned the top weight of 130 pounds. His main rival, Stagehand, would carry just 100 pounds. Stagehand won narrowly, but the result alone cannot isolate weight from pace, trip and the horses’ performances.

All runners receive an assigned weight in a handicap, including those carrying less than their rivals. This is done in an effort to level the playing field and make the competition more fair for all the horses that have been entered. The assignment of weight is done by a track handicapper who evaluates the talent of all the horses and applies the jurisdiction’s handicapping framework and the race conditions to determine the assigned weights.

The Handicapper’s Art: How Official Ratings Are Assigned

Official handicappers assess performances within a defined racing system. A rating expresses assessed ability, rather than a guaranteed finishing order. In Britain the scale is expressed in pounds; compare the BHA’s guide with the rules of the jurisdiction you are studying rather than assuming all countries use the same process.

Do not assume ratings remain unchanged for weeks or months after improvement. The BHA explains that ratings are updated weekly and that the ratings used for a race depend on the weights timetable. Penalties and allowances may also affect the weight carried.

An improving horse can be interesting, but the race conditions, opposition and odds still matter. A perceived rating advantage does not establish value if the market has already priced in the same improvement. Read how handicaps work for the distinction between the rating and the actual weight on the racecard.

How a Horse is Handicapped in Betting

To say that a horse is handicapped in betting has an entirely different meaning. This means that a bettor has evaluated the skills of a particular horse to determine its chances of winning. You will often hear bettors say “I have handicapped” a certain horse. This means that the bettor has used the past performances to make a determination on whether or not the horse merits a bet.

When you sign up for your account with one of our recommended online racebooks, you will need to develop your handicapping skills. This means taking the time to study the past performances of a race. You will need to learn the importance of speed, pace, breeding, and many other factors. The more you learn about the betting process, the more effective you will be when it comes to picking winners.

EZ Horse Betting has many useful articles on handicapping that will help you out. Something you need to understand is that handicapping is not an exact science. It involves analyzing data in order to make an educated guess. When you bet on a horse to win a race you are taking a calculated risk. If you have not handicapped a horse, you are just guessing as to its ability.

Here are some questions that must be frequently answered when a horse is handicapped:

• How fast can the horse run?
• Is the horse fast enough to win today?
• Does the horse like to run on the lead or off the pace?
• Does the horse’s running style improve his chances to win?
• Does the horse’s breeding improve his chances to win?
• Has the horse ever competed on this type of surface before?

There are many more questions that you may need to answer in order to arrive at a solid betting decision. The questions you ask are dependent upon your personal handicapping method. Remember, your method for picking winners in a race does not have to be the same as someone else.

Handicapping is an intellectual exercise. No two people go about the process in the same way. If you would like to practice your handicapping skills, you can start with paper selections and official results. Account research can begin with our recommended online horse betting sites. Compare eligibility, current race coverage and account terms before funding it. Keep practice selections separate from actual wager results. Check our Bovada racebook review, Twinspires review or even our Betamerica review. Location and account requirements vary. online racebook comparison for folks anywhere!

Read the Race Conditions

When the race itself is a handicap, review the official weight assignments and eligibility rules. Do not assume the top weight is automatically the best bet or that the lowest weight has the biggest advantage. Compare class, form, pace, distance and price before deciding.

Separate the Three Numbers on a Racecard

The program number identifies the runner for betting. The rating describes assessed ability within a particular system. The weight states the load assigned under the race conditions. These numbers do different jobs: a horse numbered 1 is not necessarily the highest rated, and the horse carrying the least weight is not automatically the best wager.

Start by identifying which column you are reading. Check the provider’s key for units and abbreviations, then read any notes about allowances or penalties. Compare runners within the same race before drawing conclusions from a weight carried at a different meeting.

Finally, use “well handicapped” as a claim to investigate. Ask what evidence suggests the horse can perform better than its current assessment, whether today’s conditions allow that improvement and whether the offered price reflects it. The phrase is an opinion about the assignment, not an official prediction that the horse will win.

A Racecard Example: Number, Rating and Weight

In this simplified example, the three-pound rating difference between #1 and #2 is reflected in a three-pound weight difference. Nine stone seven pounds is 133 pounds; nine stone four is 130. The example leaves out allowances, penalties and other conditions so the relationship is easy to see.

A real racecard requires its own rules and notes. An apprentice allowance or a penalty may affect the weight shown, and rating bands determine eligibility. Use the BHA guide for the British framework and the local authority for other jurisdictions.

For a bettor, the next step is comparing performances under today’s conditions and estimating a fair price. The official rating orders assessed ability within its system, while your race analysis considers the specific field and likely trip.