[VoodooFan]

Originally Posted by THE HAT

Your statement is absolutely true. I do not use any of the traditional handicapping procedures you mentioned. If fact, I do not know to use some of these procedures. The other day I was working a race with Rich, that I had won. Rich came up with the same horse and later noticed
we had used a running line from 2004.

All I want to know is how the horse is going to perform in today’s match up. In order to do this it is best to concentrate on the running lines of all horses in the race and ignore all procedures
used by the traditional handicapper.

The Hat

Originally Posted by THE HAT

So in reality I’m picking horse’s running styles and then find running lines that will make the horse the winner.


The Hat

Originally Posted by THE HAT

A horse feels comfortable in a certain position. Always look and find the position where a horse does his best.

The Hat

Originally Posted by THE HAT

To determine running styles look at all of the races in the past performance and find were the horse runs his best. Always start with the first call to determine the running style. This procedure will assist in deciding how the race will run.

Originally Posted by THE HAT

I usually label running style Early. or other than Early and use positions to
determine where the horse will be in a race.


The Hat

Originally Posted by THE HAT

........determining that the race would run Other Than Early is the key in winning the race. Next find the fastest Other Than Early horse, never rely on one running line to find this horse.

Originally Posted by THE HAT

To understand the Match Up, it is essential that you learn to identify running styles and learn to match these running styles. Once this has been accomplished it is possible to decide what is going to happen in today's race.

Sure, there are times when a horse may "wake up", and run better than he has ever run.

A horse may take the lead that has never showed that he wants the lead.

This is an out of the blue behavior that can happen in horse racing, and will rarely be influenced by the trainer, jockey, or the track.

In establishing the true contenders, and proper paceline, you need to make a complete analysis of all horses past performances.

-----Jim "THE HAT" Bradshaw

We are looking for reliable runners, horses that consistently run Early, Presser, Sustained.

-----Jim "THE HAT" Bradshaw

Originally Posted by THE HAT

Competitive yes, able to win, no. I am looking for winners not competitors.

A theme here.

It is probably so simple, that one may ask why even bring it up.

But I believe it is that that separates the professional and consistant winners from others.

It is something most talented handicappers do, but have yet to CLEARLY and SOLELY explain it as a concept within and by itself.

You'll here them mention it in their analysis and explanation here and there, but it is usually accompanied with some OTHER handicapping principal in such that the "other" principle, rule or factor completely OVERSHADOWS its subtle, yet simple and powerful guideline.

I believe if one can train ones self with either conscious drills or as a method/guideline in and of itself, that one can develop that elusive CONSISTENCY of winning , day in, day out, it can manifest....., that it can take one from where one is to levels that may have never been achieved or imagined, or at least, get one out of the hole of stagnation in improving and getting better, faster.

An example:

Horse A: Ten running lines, 4 of them on the lead at the 1st call.

Horse B: Ten running lines, only 1 of them on the lead at the 1st call.

Horse C. Ten running lines, only 1 of them 2nd by 2 lengths at the 1st call and only 1 of them 2nd by a head at the 1st call.

9 out of 10 times, Horse A: will get the lead.

9 out of 10 times, Horse B: will be nowhere near the lead, let alone battle for it or get.

9 out of 10 times, Horse C. will not be 2nd, and even much far less likely to battle the lead horse.

A horse that shows 1's, 2's and 3's in 9 past performance lines , and only shows (1) from 5th..., the chance of this horse running 5th today if the race calls for a horse from this position is remote, not impossible, but remote.

I don't know of a drill to get the habit of this, let the "HAT" quotes be your guide.

Sure, there are times when a horse may "wake up", and run better than he has ever run.

A horse may take the lead that has never showed that he wants the lead.

This is an out of the blue behavior that can happen in horse racing, and will rarely be influenced by the trainer, jockey, or the track.

In establishing the true contenders, and proper paceline, you need to make a complete analysis of all horses past performances.

-----Jim "THE HAT" Bradshaw

We are looking for reliable runners, horses that consistently run Early, Presser, Sustained.

-----Jim "THE HAT" Bradshaw

Originally Posted by THE HAT

Competitive yes, able to win, no. I am looking for winners not competitors.

VoodooFan



p.s. maybe a drill similar to this one for all style horses, not just Early.

Originally Posted by shoeless

Mike, If you havent done so already on one of the seminar tapes that was done in Las Vegas Gary Owens gives a good presentation of this.I believe Tom was at another seminar that Gary was at so he could probably explain it.