| With all the high tech gadgets available nowadays to | | | | rail. |
| handicap horse races, it is easy to lose sight of the | | | | A lot of importance is placed on the pace of a race. |
| fact that there is an actual event, a horse race that | | | | Pace is directly affected by the starting gate position, |
| takes place. What I mean is that it is a physical event | | | | run into the turn, length of the homestretch. This is a |
| and subject to the laws of nature and physics and not | | | | big consideration when horses are shipping in from one |
| just some ink spots on a page. A prime example of | | | | track to another. If you know a track has a short |
| this is the shape of the race track and placement of | | | | homestretch and see that a horse with late speed |
| the starting gate. | | | | was compromised because it ran out of room in a |
| When you watch a race, you may be so focused on | | | | short stretch, but today it is running on a track with a |
| the horses, particularly one you bet on, that you don't | | | | longer home stretch, that horse may run a better race. |
| see what is actually going on. For instance, what part | | | | A good angle is a horse with early speed, breaking |
| of the track is the starting gate placed at? If you are | | | | from an inside post with a short run into the turn. It |
| betting on a race being run on a one mile race track | | | | figures to easily get to the lead and other horses |
| and the race is a mile race, that the starting gate is at | | | | chasing it may have a longer trip through the turn, |
| the finish line. | | | | especially if they are on the outside. If you are trying |
| Now long is the run into the first turn? Does the | | | | to handicap horse races and using pace as part of |
| horse on the inside have an advantage? How does | | | | your method, it makes sense to actually look at the |
| it affect outside horses and inside horses? It may | | | | track, see where the starting gate is located in relation |
| favor an inside post position or be a problem. If there | | | | to the turn and the rail, and checkout the hose |
| is a large field, the starters may place the gate very | | | | stretch. Then look at each horse and its running style |
| close to the rail. The horse breaking from the inside | | | | and find horses who will benefit from those physical |
| may run into problems if he or she is forced into the | | | | conditions and those who will have problems. |