At the risk of sounding stupid I must say this is a prime example of when I\'m totally confused on what to play. The 1 seems the obvious choice with the possibilities of both Brown horses seem to be setup to run well. Yet here is Good Response who by the numbers does not look like he should even be in the race with numbers (9\'s) much slower. He\'s favored 2-1 and has high weight. Looks like a throw out so thinking a box of the 2 Browns with Belisarius might be the play. Another thought is to just key Belisarius in an exacta using all as I see the 2 longer horses the 6 and 7 might have a shot at 2nd. However I\'ve been burned by this in the past so I\'ll pass. I\'m a novice guys so any input or shots at my logic is appreciated.

Nice call on the 5th race sir....Liking the 1 in the 6th. Jockey switch, better distance...Good luck on the rest of your card

Just wanted to add another thank you to Jerry. A very nice Christmas present....Thanks

Very nice call on the ROTW.....

Hoping someone might be able to answer a question regarding the significance of the h? symbol. \"Horse may not have been extended.\" In the past when I have seen this symbol the horse moves forward again the next race. I might be wrong but that\'s what I\'ve noticed. He\'s Speightful at 12-1 has that sign in his last race so he \"wasn\'t extended\" yet the ROTW analysis says \"the big effort last time figures to take something out of him rather than something he could handle.\" Probably a dumb question but I appreciate any feedback. Thanks

Dana I use TVG. I have nothing to compare it to as its the only one I have ever used. It\'s fine by me, paid quickly, tax forms received and tabs with tax information for each year. Video Quality is fine and I am not aware of any tape delay. You can watch all replays of all races. There is a rebate but I am not aware of how much. Wagering software to me is excellent and you can cancel a bet if need be. I fund it with credit card. I am only a part time player so keep that in mind.

Couple of questions as I am thinking of entering my first Handicapping contest here at Arlington Park. Rules seem pretty cut and dry and I am not sure if other contests at other tracks are run in the same manner. Rules below....

\"The AHC contests closely replicate a day at the races. Each contestant funds a $100 contest wagering account and tries to run up the biggest balance he or she can, just like every day at the races. The highest account balance on a contest Saturday wins a trip to Las Vegas for the HWS. The next four finishers each Saturday win cash prizes.

The mechanics of the contest have also been simplified. The contestant signs in at the Members Services Center on the second floor of the grandstand on the day of the contest. There is no entry fee. The contestant exchanges $100 for a contest wagering card (limit, two entries). The card is a plastic voucher that is used for contest wagers and makes it easy to keep track all contest wagering. The balance on the contest wagering card always remains the property of the contestant.

The contest wagering card can only be used at self-service terminals. Since such terminals are available throughout Arlington, contest players can participate from anywhere in Arlington's main building plus adjacent areas such as the paddock, park, terrace, or the like.

Each of the first six Saturday contests of the AHC series will determine a winner to go to the 2012 HWS. Additionally, a seventh trip to the HWS will be awarded to the fan who builds the highest cumulative account balance over the course of the summer AHC series without winning one of the first six Saturday contests.

Each Arlington Handicapping Contest will be preceded by a handicapping seminar conducted by McMannis. The seminars, which are free just like the contests, will be held in the Starting Gate Theatre located just north of the Members Services Center. The seminars will begin approximately one hour before first post, and McMannis will remain in the area to answer questions and more.

If you are going to bet at least $100 on a Saturday afternoon, you should enter the free contest. There is nothing to lose, but gain the potential to win a trip to Las Vegas and the chance to win more money at the HWS.\"


I looked up the last 5 meetings and the winners balances were $580, $1181, $1236, $904 and $3982. Does not look like going into the last few races I would have any clue as to where my opponents will be?

Any insight or advice I can get on contests would be appreciated. I do have experience with handicapping contests just not in Horse Racing. Also is there anyone here who frequents Arlington Park?

JR Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The analysis is a consistently poor product. Don\'t
> know if it\'s because of the numbers or the
> interpretation of the numbers but don\'t waste your
> money on it.

I found it helpful for a very brief period. It didn\'t make me money but it did open me up to different ways of thinking which have helped. Too many scratches come into play.

See nothing wrong with the 5,6,8 at 18-1,33-1,17-1 so I\'ll use them with the 4,7 in tris. Hope the others bounce. good luck

Boxing the entry with JG and AZ. 2 for 1 and MB getting weight. JG a must. Also win bet on AZ....Good luck

Nice call Dana.....

Race 4 – Pass

Race 5 Yankee Gone South (8-1) gets in light, and should get lead. Win bet and ex and tri boxes using the 1,2,3 Caught a Flyer (5-1), Buyers Remorse (12-1) and Quick Enough (fastest 3-1).

Race 6 – Pass

Race 7 – Like Deputiformer (6-1) to come up late. Mullins good 1st after trainer change. Ex and tri boxes with Sanquine (12-1 and getting 12 pounds), Cayambe (3-1 best #'s) and Jairihno (5-1).

Race 8 – Exacta box using Switch (8-5) and Zazu (3-1). Thinking Zazu has a forward move in him here. Both rested.  Add Washington  Bridge (20-1) in a tri-box.

Race 9 and 10 - Pass

Hoping this is adequate.....

Race 1 – Cat in the Forest lone speed  and light. Bet to win (8-1). Ex Boxes with  Special Kid (6-1) and Offlee Wild Boys  (7-2). Add Red Sharp Humor (5-1) on the Tri's. Threw out the 2 favs...

Race 2 – Will try Pivotal Queen (12-1). Competitive numbers, inside and low weight (W-P). Box in Exactas with the speed, Gotham Spirit (7-2) and Hidden Romance (5-1).  Adding  Meadow Lake Queen (cycling down at 4-1) to the tri's.

DD – 1,4 w 2,5,8.    

Race 3 – Kilkenny  (6-1) to win, adds Blinkers (good %) inside and hopes to improve. Ex and Tri boxes with Winsome Charm (7-2), Interpatation (12-1 competitive numbers earlier this year), and Gothic Samurai (4-1).

1 - Pass

2 - Low Gear Power (7-2) win and 3 horse box North Fork (5-2) and Kingsville (9-2)

3 - Lasso from ElPasso (5-1)win 3 horse box Scream Queen (6-1) Wild Truffles (5-2)

4 - win bet on Walking Heart (6-1) ex and tri boxes with Cat Named Snipe (15-1), Forest  Prince (5-1) and So Behold (20-1)

5 - Win bet Capital Plan (4-1) box with Heidi Maria (2-1)

6 - Memphis to win (8-1) boxes with Magmificent Blend (7-2) Berts Law (12—1) and Big Bad Leroy Brown (8-1)

7 - Catchy Tune (6-1) win and boxes with Pure Class (4-1) and Downhill Diva (6-1)

8 - Pass

9 - workin for hops to win (3-1) box with yummy w butter (7-1) and violin sacre ((5-1) current odds