Category Archives: Horses

The Odds Must Be Crazy

Posted on August 15, 2022 by turfcapper

Spent a spectacular weekend at Saratoga this weekend, with a tip of the cap to I.M. Bettor for hosting. It was my first trip to the spa in three years, thanks to the pandemic, but it brought back a number … Continue reading →

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One of my tools for the Kentucky Derby

Posted on May 4, 2022 by turfcapper

Here’s a peek at one of the tools I’ve been messing with, which is a scatter plot generated by the handicapping app we are developing. The axis are based on speed and power ratings, and the upper right corner is … Continue reading →

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This is a story about a horse …

Posted on April 4, 2022 by turfcapper

If you did, you’d have pocketed about $800,000 in winnings since then. Continue reading →

Posted in Belmont, Breeders Cup, Del Mar, Gulfstream, Handicapping, Horses, Kentucky Derby, Santa Anita, Saratoga Race Course | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Takedown Scoreboard Update

Posted on February 19, 2022 by turfcapper

So a quick post to update the takedown scoreboard (and life) … I have neither been playing or posting much the past couple of months, largely due to a family health issue that had me traveling a lot to support … Continue reading →

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Ringing in 2022 – time to quit while I’m ahead ?

Posted on January 2, 2022 by turfcapper

2021 went without much fanfare for the ‘capper. Between the 9-5, and some family health issues, I haven’t had much time or gumption to play. The play back book is largely bereft of fresh trips. I ran my preliminary end … Continue reading →

Posted in Belmont, Handicapping, Horses, Saratoga Race Course | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Introducing . . .The Takedown Scoreboard!

Posted on October 3, 2021 by turfcapper

Horseplayers love to complain. About everything really, but we’ll all tell you we get taken down more than we get put up by stewards inquiries or rider/trainer objections. “Horseplayers feel aggrieved by stewards across the world, on a weekly, if … Continue reading →

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This Time Was ‘The Time’

Posted on April 12, 2021 by turfcapper

There are a million handicapping factors. I figure that number is about right. There are more than 1400 data points in each horse’s past performance line, and then you figure 8-12 horses in a race, 10 lines in each pp, … Continue reading →

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Handicapping the Handcapper

Posted on March 10, 2021 by turfcapper

How many things is too many ?  I think I found out on Saturday. I was leading the NHC free qualifier after one race.  It got worse – much worse –  from there.   I don’t love the ‘pick and … Continue reading →

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The Derby Trail Heats Up, March 2, New Shooter ?

Posted on March 2, 2021 by turfcapper

Plenty of notes from a busy weekend of stakes action, we will start with the 3-year-old rankings, which have been updated. Essential Quality did little to hurt his number one ranking, winning well, taking his act on the road, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Gulfstream, Handicapping, Horses, Kentucky Derby, Triple Crown, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What if the best horse in America – isn’t in America at all ?

Posted on February 22, 2021 by turfcapper

That’s what happened this weekend when John Gosden’s Mishriff dusted ‘em in the 20-million-dollar Saudi Cup, easily putting away Charlatan and Knicks Go, who sat 1-2 in our Handicap Division rankings. That changes this week, as Mishriff goes right to … Continue reading →

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