MYTH
RACING'S INSIDERS KNOW SOMETHING
THE CUSTOMERS DO NOT KNOW

Even worse than a reliance on systems for beating the races is the idea of inside information. The timeless notion that trainers, jockeys, and other insiders know something about the probable outcomes of races is nonsense. The hot tips dished out daily by racing's famous insiders are worthless. They should have not the slightest appeal to any adult having any degree of intelligence, maturity, or worldliness. If the inside information were valid, the insiders would be rich. Virtually none of them are and the ones that do get comfortably ahead do it by virtue of good training and good riding.

The truth about the famous insiders is that most of them stopped betting on the horses years ago. The financial losses just became too painful.

Even when horsemen and owners know a lot about their own horses, they almost never know enough about the other horses in the race. They do not have the time and they have not analyzed the race properly. If a trainer or other famous insider tells a handicapper that such and such a horse should win, ask the insider how much he or she intends to bet. If it's not a princely sum, forget the insider's opinion and do your own handicapping.

MAXIM
THE CUSTOMERS WHO BECOME
EXCELLENT HANDICAPPERS KNOW MORE

Racing customers who become excellent handicappers will know as much or more about race horses and races than anybody, including the horses owners and trainers.

Inside information and hot tips do not square well with the ideas and methods of handicappers. Most horsemen are as talented at handicapping the races as most handicappers are at training the horses.

Handicappers who make the mistake of socializing at the track with the famous insiders will regret it eventually, but at a sizable financial cost. Why bother?