Handicapping Horses Software
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Those who like EZ Horse Betting at an online racebook are always looking for ways to improve their handicapping. It is also useful to simplify the process of picking winners at the race track. Software can organize data and apply calculations consistently, but you still need to understand the inputs and judge the output. Handicapping software exists in downloadable and browser-based forms. Here are some things you need to know before you invest in a program.
About Handicapping Software
There are a few different software applications that are available to the bettor. Some of them are inexpensive while others could cost a pretty penny. There are programs that have a steep learning curve, and others use a simpler interface. The type of software you choose will largely depend upon your handicapping preferences.
Every program depends on data, but not every program requires manual entry. Some import purchased files, some include a data feed, and others accept your own inputs. Check the race date, scratches, field definitions and update time. An automated import can still contain missing or outdated information, while manual entry adds the risk of transcription mistakes.
By the same token you’ll also need some basic computer experience to master this method of handicapping. Many older horse bettors are probably laughing right now as they read this. “Maybe you can find a winning horse on your interwebs!” they will joke. But think about it. Baseball and football scouts have been using software for years to identify superior athletes at the high school and college level. Why should handicappers be any different?
You should never disregard anything that gives you a potential edge in your handicapping. If using a computer increases your likelihood of cashing tickets, it’s a valid method. Some handicappers with coding experience in Python have even gone so far as to write their own programs for picking horses.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the popular software programs that are available. Perhaps you will find one or several that will fit your individual needs.
BRISNET FREE HANDICAPPING SOFTWARE
Brisnet has long been regarded as a top provider of handicapping tools and resources. It should come as no surprise that the company offers a variety of handicapping software that is free to download and use. Well, almost free. You’ll still have to pay for the files from Brisnet that are needed to make the program work, so there is a catch.
There are several programs to choose from. Neurax is an intuitive program that learns from previous race results. It compiles the recent race records of horses to complete a projection of how a race might unfold. ALL-ways is a software program that focuses on handicapping angles. Just choose the angle that you want to focus on, enter some information from Brisnet, and the program will do the rest. There is also a custom PP generator, a way to organize data from past performances to your liking, and more.
Many of the file packages that need to be purchased from Brisnet to make the programs work are affordably priced. And the bettor can choose to spend according to their budget. Just remember that the best software on the market doesn’t do you much good if it’s costing you more than your planned research budget permits you to spend.
BETMIX Handicapping Software
Another option is a software company that is called BETMIX. This collection of handicapping tools is a browser-based option that has the advantage of allowing you to focus on single races from a wide variety of race tracks. You can even test the software for free on a race of the day that has been selected by BETMIX.
The tools that are included with BETMIX include past performance analyzers, angle interpretation, and more. It is even possible to create your own handicapping method and then test the results. You can then use the test to refine and improve the variables of your method. There is also a full library of race results available that can be accessed to evaluate a horse’s prior efforts.
Check the current BETMIX membership options and checkout total before subscribing; compare the billing interval, included features and cancellation terms. Treat the fee as a research expense you can afford without winnings. A successful month does not establish that the software will pay for itself.
TrackMaster
TrackMaster Past Performances includes speed, class and pace information. Its Thoroughbred range is broader than a single pace-analysis program. Choose the specific product and format that fit the information you use, rather than assuming every item in the range works the same way.
The Pocket/Tablet Handicapper is a separate option for smaller screens. Check data coverage, device requirements and purchases for the breed you follow. A readable sample on your own device is more useful than a feature list alone.
Compare current product prices, available samples and support instructions directly. Establish whether the cost is per card, subscription or another package, and whether the data must be downloaded into separate software. Do not assume a sample is a full trial or that a free download includes all data.
Evaluating Handicapping Software Before You Buy
The market for handicapping software ranges from genuinely useful analytical tools to overpriced products that offer little advantage over free alternatives. Before purchasing any handicapping software, a structured evaluation process protects you from making expensive mistakes. Start with an available sample, demonstration or trial, and read its limits. The absence of a free trial does not by itself establish that a provider is unreliable. During the trial, test the software on races you have already handicapped independently to see whether its outputs align with, contradict, or enhance your own analysis.
Pay particular attention to how the software handles the specific race types and circuits you bet on most frequently. Software optimised for thoroughbred flat racing on North American dirt may perform poorly on turf races or harness racing, and software tuned to major stakes events may not provide useful outputs for the lower-level claiming and allowance races that make up most daily wagering activity. The best software for your purposes is the one that performs well in the specific markets you actually bet on, not the one with the most impressive features for race types you rarely encounter. Also verify that the data sources feeding the software are current and reliable — even excellent analytical logic produces poor outputs when based on stale or inaccurate data. For a guide to the software and apps worth considering, our articles on horse racing handicapping apps can help identify further features to compare.
Horse Handicapping Software Conclusion
Every bettor has to make the determination which program will best serve their needs. No program is suitable for all handicappers, as many of them focus on different aspects of picking winners. You should determine which factor means the most to you. Speed? Form? Pace? There are programs which stress all of these factors.
Compare available samples using the same race and the same questions. Note whether the tool saves time, reveals information you need or merely restates the form in a different layout. For account research features, consult the racebook comparison; opening a betting account is a separate decision from buying analysis software.
More related topics
Test Settings on Races You Have Not Used to Build Them
If you adjust a model until it selects the winners of a past month, the result describes how well it fits that month. It does not show how it will perform on later races. Save the settings, choose a later period and keep those settings unchanged while recording every qualifying selection.
Separate races used to develop the method from races used to evaluate it. Check that the information fed into each prediction was available before the race; final results or later updates can accidentally make a historical test look stronger than a usable live method.
Record stakes, gross returns and data costs alongside the win percentage. A tool selecting more winners can still lose more money if those winners pay short prices. Keep a simple baseline, such as your previous written process, so you can tell what the software changed.
Check the Workflow Before Paying
Open a sample on the actual device you plan to use. Find one horse’s recent races, identify the date and surface, locate the explanation of its ratings and see how scratches are handled. If the basic information is hard to retrieve, additional features may add effort rather than save it.
For downloaded programs, verify supported operating systems and the required file format before buying data. For browser tools, check whether essential features work on mobile and whether your notes can be exported. Confirm recurring charges, cancellation steps and what access remains after a subscription ends.
Finally, set a research budget independently of expected betting returns. You may reasonably pay for convenience or enjoyment, but that is a different claim from having demonstrated a profitable method. Keep those goals separate when deciding whether to renew.
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Continue the Analysis
Horse Betting for Beginners
Start with the race, the ticket, pools, odds, and a sensible first-bet workflow.
ContinueUnderstand Bet Types
Compare straight, exotic, and multi-race wagers before building a ticket.
ContinueLearn to Handicap
Build a repeatable process around form, pace, class, distance, surface, and price.
Continue
Although it is a bit over two years old, this is the BEST information on handicapping software I have found on the web! And I learned of another service (Betmix) I was not aware of. I’ve used some of the BRIS products extensively, and the only party making any money was BRIS in the form of the fees they charge for the data and results files.
Also, their programs are VERY OLD, well over a decade. Moore’s law states that computers double their speed every 18 months. So, these old programs are a bit like using the even older “systems” that required manual entry into a pocket calculator, compared to the speed & power new software could provide, especially A.I., which would allow a program to “learn” as the user feeds in race cards and results.
After a little investigation, I found out the person who developed those programs for BRIS died about 10 years ago. Seems nobody has knocked on BRIS’ door to offer new programs that take advantage of today’s computer power. If youare really good with PC’s and rogramming, and you are on a COVID-19 furlough, there MAY be an opportunity for you to make some serious cash@!
Finally, I have known a few people who use the TRACKMASTER system. They are not doing any better than us form readers.
Al, thanks for your comment. We agree that there is definitely room for more horse racing software development. It seems that people will always be trying to quantify the ability of horses in a straightforward way. In fact, one Hong Kong bettor made millions with his horse racing computer software. We appreciate you reading and good luck at the races!