| In the 21st century of horse racing there is no | | | | frequently improve their next outing. |
| downplaying the importance of track bias. The | | | | Louisiana Downs |
| condition of the horse racing track and the affect | | | | Bossier City, Louisiana opened up in 1974 has a |
| weather has on it can turn a favorite into a loser and | | | | relatively fast one mile racing surface and a stretch |
| a long shot into a potential winner. | | | | run of 1010 feet that frequently produces a big inside |
| If you go to Vegas and they say there is a fix on | | | | speed bias. The tendency is even more prevalent in |
| roulette and it rarely hits above 22 would you believe | | | | holiday, weekend or stakes days. Look for horses |
| them? Well this actually happens at particular races in | | | | that can gain possession of the lead and on the rail |
| horse racing and this is called track bias. | | | | for a big edge at this track. On the turf course the |
| In Pilmlico in Baltimore, MD where the first turn is less | | | | opposite is true as we see closers from the mid pack |
| than a small throw away from the starting gate in 1 1 | | | | win more than their front running rivals. |
| 16 mile races. Horses with sprint speed and inside | | | | Monmouth Park |
| post positions have a clear cut winning edge. | | | | Located in Oceanport New Jersey.. A Track with a |
| Conversely horses forced to break from the post | | | | one mile oval and a short 985 stretch run. Generally |
| positions 9-> 12 have to be far more superior and | | | | speaking this track favors front runners and early |
| perfectly ridden to have a prayer. Horse tracks that | | | | speed types on the inside rail at all distances during |
| are sealed usually promote early speed. That is just | | | | the summer. One big exception is when it rains the |
| one example here are a summary of the best tracks | | | | track can have a dead rail for a day or so especially |
| in the US and their own Bias~ Enjoy!! | | | | after a good rain so be on the look out for the |
| Aqueduct | | | | storms. |
| Located in Ozone Park, New York this track was | | | | Philadelphia Park |
| rebuilt in 1959 and has 1 1/8 mile dirt oval for the | | | | In Bensalem, PA.. This track features a one mile main |
| spring and fall meets with a smaller one mile dirt track | | | | track with a 7 furlong backstretch the likes to favor |
| for the winter. | | | | stalk-n-go types. This track is a little different than |
| The main dirt track seems to favor the inside speed | | | | most and does like the deep closers as well which is |
| at full 1 1/8 distance. Inside speeds also tend to do | | | | unique when speed is king on most tracks. |
| well at 5 and 5 1/2 furlongs. There is not true build in | | | | Pimlico |
| bias that has been apparent at 6 furlongs although | | | | Located in Baltimore Maryland this track is the second |
| early speed is always an advantage to 6 furlongs on | | | | oldest track in America. This track with its long |
| NYRA tracks. In the 6 1/2 furlongs to one mile | | | | history is blessed with some of the best trainers out |
| distances it appears the outer post positions are a | | | | there. The one mile oval with a stretch of 1162 feet |
| plus with the starting gate is in the back stretch | | | | has traditionally favored horses with good early |
| being a long way from the far turn. A Horse that has | | | | speed who take control of the inside running lanes. |
| tactical speed is another plus at these distances. | | | | That particular bias used to be widely know but the |
| On the one mile inner dirt track for the winter meets | | | | renovation helped quiet it some but it still comes into |
| the inside rail has been historically important at all | | | | play at times so be on the look out. |
| distances especially the 1 mile 70 yards with 2 turns. | | | | Saratoga Race Course |
| They have changed the track a little bit in 2008-2009 | | | | In New York at Saratoga Springs opened back in |
| if the track is thawing out after a good freeze a | | | | 1864 this has a rich historical ambiance that can be |
| surprising edge goes to horses using mid track lanes | | | | felt in the grandstands. The quality of horses is |
| off the pace. Its important to take notes of a | | | | awesome here during the 6 week Summer meet. |
| particular track to view upcoming changes in bias or | | | | The 1 1/8 mile oval with a 7 furlong backstretch of |
| grounds keeper shifting things up but these bias are | | | | 1144 is made up of dirt, clay and sandy loam with a |
| up to date. | | | | limestone base. That composition makes it one of |
| Belmont Park | | | | the fastest tracks in the country. The race course |
| Located in Belmont, New York this is the largest | | | | also has 2 turf tracks as well. Watch the inside post |
| track in America. Belmont has 2 important race | | | | on 1 1/8 as they seem to have a good bias here. |
| meets: the spring/summer meet, which has the | | | | Early speed is usually good at sprint distances the |
| famous Belmont Stakes and the Fall Championship | | | | outer post do really well at 6 to 7 furlongs especially |
| meet. | | | | when the track is drying out after a substantial rain. |
| In the Spring the main track tends to favor the early | | | | Synthetic Tracks~ the new wave of Horse Racing |
| speed at distances up to seven furlongs, while the | | | | Keeneland |
| races that are run up to 1 1/8 tend to be won by | | | | Here in Lexington, Kentucky this track has been |
| stalkers and middle running stretch-runners. In one | | | | around since 1936. Here are some key points to look |
| turn races stalkers who have the outer post | | | | for: |
| positions tend to have an edge due to the nice | | | | When lacking clear evidence of a pronounced bias, |
| sweeping turns. These big wide turns also tend to | | | | players should only slightly favor stalkers over front |
| favor the large body horses who may not have the | | | | runners and deep closers. Horses that perform well |
| quickness of more compact runners but are capable | | | | on other synthetic surfaces tend to do very well |
| of sustained runs at above average rate of speed. | | | | here. We have also seen that horses that run well on |
| In the Fall the rail becomes deeper and slower than | | | | dirt tracks in FLA, NY, and New Orleans bring to |
| the rest of the strip, which improves the changes of | | | | Keeneland good stamina and will hold as well as |
| stalkers and closers even more. At the distance of 1 | | | | improve their dirt form here. |
| 1/4 mile distances the outer post positions are forced | | | | Watch this track for bias to show up because some |
| to overcome and avoid problems with this wide trip. | | | | will show out of nowhere and really stand out for |
| This is true for the Belmont at this distance | | | | awhile due to the maintenance of these synthetic |
| regardless the time of year. | | | | surfaces. Watch for shifts to a preferred running |
| Belmont's 2 turf courses have portable rails to | | | | style. One last tip is that horses bred to handle grass |
| protect the inside paths from being used to much. | | | | especially races beyond one mile on grass do very |
| Most turf races are won by horses with solid late | | | | well on this track. |
| speed burst with this track front runners tend to | | | | Turfway Park |
| improve their overall stats here. | | | | In Florence Kentucky this track can produce different |
| Churchill Downs | | | | biases due to seasonal changes. |
| Located in Louisville, KY with the famous Kentucky | | | | During the late summer/early fall meets the come |
| Derby being raced here yearly this track has some | | | | before the three week fall meet at Keeneland this |
| identifiable features as well. | | | | track does not have any major bias at all. |
| The inside posts have an edge on this track in two | | | | During the Winter session this track can go through |
| turn races at 1 1/16 miles and at 7 furlongs along with | | | | radical shifts favoring speed horses to a track in |
| one mile distances out of the backstretch are prime | | | | which the horse that moves last wins so watch |
| for deep closers. Churchill's dirt racing surface is | | | | carefully. Some handicappers will get frustrated at the |
| actually made differently than any other track in | | | | flip flops with bias but it can be some of the best |
| America. Most tracks have limestone and then dirt | | | | long shots tracks around. |
| built on top of it Churchill has no such base. This track | | | | Woodbine |
| is mixed with a deep layer of soil, clay and organic | | | | Rexdale, in Ontarion Canada this old track has been |
| materials packed down several feet below the | | | | around since 1874 right by downtown Toronto. Some |
| surface. | | | | Key points to follow are: |
| When wet the main track actually becomes faster | | | | The horses run from April to December and through |
| and in hours or a day after the rainstorm the surface | | | | the cold weather months you will not see much bias |
| could become the best racing surface available in | | | | at all. Expect some periods of uneven days during |
| horse racing. However when Churchill is dry it pays to | | | | the warmest Summer days. The maintenance can |
| keep track of the horses that do not like this unusual | | | | send a bias into a extreme condition so just watch |
| deep strip it will save you some cash in the long run. | | | | the races and take notes when this happens. |
| Fair Grounds | | | | Another key note is that horses that transfer from |
| Located in New Orleans, Louisiana this track was | | | | this track to Gulfstream or Fair Grounds in New |
| reopened in 2003 after being burned to the ground in | | | | Orleans tend to hold their form very well. |
| 1993. With the new slots being added to the track | | | | Arlington Park |
| the purses have raised at the fairgrounds giving New | | | | Located in Arlington Heights Illinois this track burned |
| Orleans a good source of revenue. | | | | to the ground in 1985 and was rebuilt in 1989 into a |
| With a long stretch that comes in to play at the Fair | | | | beautiful track. |
| Grounds the inside posts do not have sufficient | | | | Arlington should expect mid pack closers along with |
| speed to take advantage of the short run to the | | | | stalkers to maintain a built in edge at all distances. |
| first turn and affects routes along with sprints. | | | | Over the last decade the beautiful grass course has |
| However after a good rain the inside rail can be a big | | | | favored horses with tactical speed more than |
| advantage due to unusual drainage patterns. | | | | confirmed stretch runners that dominate grass racing |
| A good note on this track is the turf course~ It has | | | | on the majority turf courses. |
| deep roots and quite different from other Turf horse | | | | Santa Anita Park |
| racing tracks. You want to continue to look at a | | | | In Arcadia California a one mile oval with a small |
| horses form but the horses that like to race on this | | | | stretch of 900 feet has a surface that favors |
| turf tend to replicate their performance when they | | | | outside lane bias. The 2008 Breeders cup proved that |
| returning to it. | | | | this surface can be manipulated to present a strong |
| Fairplex Park | | | | closers track bias without an precondition caused by |
| Located in Pomona, CA this small 5 furlong track was | | | | weather. |
| open back in 1932. The tight turns nullify the logical | | | | Pay close attention to any sudden shifts that will |
| advantage that inside post should have and has a | | | | provide a deep closer with the advantage that is not |
| opposite bias in the opposite directing in 3 turn races | | | | found at most synthetic tracks. |
| beyond a mile. | | | | Hollywood Park |
| As a main rule the track is fair but the horses do not | | | | In Inglewood CA there are a few key points to |
| handle the sharp turns well and the jockey who has | | | | consider at this horse racing track. Through the prior |
| a special skill in the area plays a big factor. A recent | | | | seasons of dirt racing Hollywood has had a dead rail |
| jockey Martin Pedroza is a dominator at this park and | | | | or a sticky inside post position issue especially in |
| has this very skill. | | | | sprints. On the cushion track there was no bias on |
| GulfStream Park | | | | inside post. |
| Located in Hallandale, FA this park was completely | | | | Del Mar |
| rebuilt during 2004-2006 with the track enlarged and | | | | In Del Mar California this seaside track was open in |
| a small seating capacity that is controversial. The | | | | 1937. The better maintained track of the years to |
| Gulfsteream has a strong speed bias during the | | | | come should favor mid pack closers and deep closers |
| winter-springs meets. In route races horses in outer | | | | through much of the meet at all distances. |
| post positions have little chance to win. In 2006 and | | | | Golden Gate Fields |
| 2008 Big Brown and Barbaro overcame outer post | | | | In Albany CA will have more racing dates than |
| positions and they went on to be great. | | | | previous years with Bay Meadows shutting down. |
| Watch for the cooler than usual weather this speed | | | | There is not a big bias at this track but some things |
| bias can be overcame. The widely discussed speed | | | | to note are when the track has played a noticeable |
| bias can play in your favor the other way as well. It | | | | bias the trend has been to favor stretch running |
| pays to bet against the bias when a suicidal speed | | | | horses and in some cases stretch runners in the |
| seems likely to occur. A sharp handicapping ability | | | | middle of the pack. Take note of the leading Jockey |
| trumps everything else. | | | | there Russell Blaze as he approaches the race and |
| Laurel Park | | | | how he rides he is a great indicator of bias. You can |
| Located in Laurel, Maryland~Opened in 1911 this track | | | | use this tip for any track because some of the top |
| which has a long stretch run of 1344 feet is generally | | | | jockeys can tell the biases quickly. |
| free of bias, although stretch runners and stalking | | | | Use these tips the next time you are handicapping a |
| type tend to do a little better here than most tracks. | | | | track and you will see your profits soar. Always be |
| The only thing we have seen is that on this track | | | | on the look out for new biases that appear and |
| horses that make above average "turn moves" or | | | | watch the race closely to see what the winning |
| show a faster than average burst of speed through | | | | horses are doing. Good Luck and Happy Handicapping. |
| the middle portion in 6 and 7 furlongs races do | | | | |