Whether you’re brand new to the sport or looking to sharpen your strategy, this section has everything you need to become a smarter, more confident bettor. With 55 articles covering the essentials, race types, handicapping, rules, tutorials, and advanced betting insights, you’ll find step-by-step guidance to suit every level of experience.
Articles in this Section:
Getting Started with Horse Racing Betting
Build your foundation with the basics of horse racing, pari-mutuel betting, how to place your first wager, common terminology, legal frameworks, and age requirements in Connecticut.
Types of Horse Races
Understand the key race formats, including Thoroughbred, Harness, Quarter Horse, and Greyhound racing. Learn how conditions differ across claiming, allowance, and stakes races.
Reading the Racing Program/Form
Master the art of reading past performances, speed figures, class ratings, trainer and jockey stats, and the difference between morning line and final odds.
How to Handicap Horse Races
Discover the fundamentals of handicapping: speed, class, form, pace, track bias, surface type, jockey and trainer trends, and how weather and post positions affect results.
Track and Race Guides
Explore top US and international tracks, track configurations, signature US races, and the annual horse racing calendar — including strategies tailored to each venue.
Horse Racing Betting Rules and Payout Guidelines
Get clarity on pari-mutuel rules, bet limits, scratches, dead heats, IRS reporting requirements, and what happens when wagers are refunded or adjusted.
Horse Racing and Betting Glossary
Decode the sport’s unique language with glossaries covering betting, track terms, slang, jargon, and abbreviations commonly found in race programs.
Horse Racing Betting Tutorials: Step-by-Step Guides
Practical how-to articles covering tote boards, Pick 4 bets, reading a racing form, and other beginner-friendly betting tutorials.
Horse Racing Betting FAQs
Your most common questions answered — from betting basics to track visits, retail venues, and general FAQs about horse racing in the US.
Beginner’s Guide to Horse Racing Betting
Learn what makes horse racing different from other sports betting, the mistakes to avoid, how to weigh risk vs reward, and how to recognise a “good bet.”
Intermediate Horse Racing Betting Strategies
Move beyond the basics with insights on when to bet against favourites, how to read pools, avoid the public money trap, and build a smarter wagering strategy.
Pro-Level Horse Racing Betting
Advanced tools and tactics: using trip notes, replays, advanced data, speed figures, custom algorithms, betting models, and syndicate ticket construction.
💡 Did You Know?
Over $12 billion is wagered annually on horse racing in the US through pari-mutuel pools.
“Morning line odds” are only predictions set by the track’s handicapper — they often shift dramatically once betting begins.
Greyhound racing is now banned in many states, but still plays a role in betting history and systems.
The IRS requires reporting for horse racing winnings above certain thresholds — something casual bettors often overlook.
Professional betting syndicates use advanced algorithms and pooled capital to construct high-volume tickets, but the fundamentals they use are the same ones you can learn here.Did You Know?
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes horse racing betting different from sports betting?
What makes horse racing betting different from sports betting?
Horse racing uses the pari-mutuel system, where all bets go into a pool and payouts are shared among winners, instead of fixed odds set by a bookmaker.
What are the most common types of horse racing bets on MyWinners?
What are the most common types of horse racing bets on MyWinners?
The simplest are Win, Place, and Show, while exotic wagers include Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, and multi-race bets like the Pick 4.
How do I read a racing program or form?
How do I read a racing program or form?
Look for past performances, speed figures, trainer and jockey stats, and race conditions. These details help you assess each horse’s chances.
What happens if a horse is scratched?
What happens if a horse is scratched?
In most cases, bets on that horse are refunded. Some multi-leg wagers may adjust differently depending on the pool rules.
How can I improve my betting strategy over time?
How can I improve my betting strategy over time?
Start small, learn the basics of handicapping, track results, and gradually explore advanced strategies like reading pools or analysing trip notes.