After the Breeders’ Cup concluded, I’ve been pondering my thoughts about the two days of the best racing in the world. You have to it it was a spectacular show, and the opportunity to watch and wager on the best in the world is a blast. But, after the smoke clears. I’m left with thoughts and feelings.

There are too many races. – At one point in my life I used to go to the old Latonia Race Course in Kentucky and watch and wager on doubleheader cards. Yep, 20 races for the hearty horseplayer. the daytime card with the grandstand packed. By the third race on the evening card, the place emptied. At one point it was just my dad, his wife, and me sitting in a cavernous grandstand that held thousands. – I was so happy it seemed like Christmas came early. But, things change.

At most tracks, you get eight live races. 20 minutes in between posts, and the day moves right along with just the right amount of action. – Simulcast fills the void, and you get even more to wager during the smaller card. – I have been happier ever since. It allows me to keep my bankroll in order and plan accordingly.

I study a varied amount of handicapping info, and by the time the first race goes to post it feels good when the race concludes. – You can liken it to studying for your finals in college. The final work is so much to factor in. Weather, track biases leading up to the races, riders coming in for sure, late workouts, and video replays. – Inevitably, there will be a few defections and hopefully, yours will not be on the list. That gets you to the point of starting the process of finding three or more per race and determining how you’re going to use them in wagers. – If you put in 12 hours of handicapping and factoring the details, you have to put in as much time deciding how to maximize your wagering bankroll on wagers being made. – It sounds like I’m bitching, but on every horse racing VLOG or chat room among so do some of the best players in the world. They feel exactly the same burnout. It’s an incredible burnout, but one that can pay off boxcars if all goes right. – As I ended the crying session of putting in the work, I did pretty well on the two days.

All I’m saying is to cut it back to one day. Have ten races and let it happen. Fans can hardly play for two days with their butt in front of the computer or recliner watching their efforts at work. – At the end of the event, I take November and December off and come back hungry for more in January when the preps begin all over again. – It’s not a labor of hard work, but if you really care. You’ll put in the time. It’s the only way to have a logical shot at cashing in on the big prize.

I still follow the races during my downtime, but my betting takes a hiatus. It allows me to begin the process again with a hunger for winning that is rare. – The other real players feel the same, but they may or may not verbalize this. – Ten races and one day is fine. It allows me to keep sharper and ready for the battle of the betting.

I’ll be dropping blogs and putting up free selections. I like to go back and sharpen the skills in my handicapping toolbox. Keeps me ready and hungry. I look forward to Gulfstream Park, Fair Grounds, and Oaklawn. California later in the month. The buffet of betting will be served, and I’ll be sitting at the table with my attention back on winning. – Every year I go back and determine what I could have done better or left out of the process. – My friend asked me once; “when will you know everything you’ll need to handicap.” – When I crack open the DRF, E-Z Win Forms, and deep-diving data. I will quit when I don’t see something new daily. My friend this is the process of becoming a real bettor.  When it doesn’t grab your attention and teach you something new, there is always golf or fishing.

See you very soon, and when you see my picks and thoughts, take them in and compare them against your own. I bet you’ll be back in the game sooner rather than later. – Best of luck from Winning Ponies!