50 yrs of handicapping Thoroughbreds

Now then, for any given track, do not play
races with any of the following characteristics.
This will limit you to only playing one to three
races for the day.

- do not play maiden races (which includes
first time starters)

- do not play races that have more than
11 horses running.

- do not play races shorter than 5.5 furlongs.

- do not play races longer than 1 1/8 miles in distance.

- do not play races for 2 year olds only.

- do not play races where there are five entries
with program odds of 5/1 or less.

- do not play races with less than six runners.

When I say do not play them, what I really mean
is do not bet them. The risk is high and the
payoffs are low. I can't tell you how many years
it took to finally figure this out.

In all honesty, the tracks and bets with the lowest takeout are really your best to play. So in theory, sticking to wps is the better way to go than your exotics.

With that said, stick to the tracks and colony of riders and trainers you know best and don't get out of that comfort zone. I know when I'm playing Del Park, and the Md tracks I gotta shot. But when I bet Thistledown or Lone Star or a track like that....its gonna be an uphill climb. 

I agree with most of this but I love me a maiden special weight race. Especially on the downhill at my home track Santa Anita. All horses are usually talented and/or from good bloodlines and the payouts are nice