Watch The Odds

In 'The Odd Couple,' author Neil Simon created a couple of odd characters. Felix was fastidious an a perfectionist when it came to maintaining an apartment. Oscar was the exact opposite -- give him his Daily Racing Form, a beer, and he was happy.

It might surprise some horse racing fans that a person doesn't need a Racing Form to figure out the winner of a horse race.

Years ago I met a horse trainer at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, AZ. who shared some insider information with me. Red was in his 80s and had been around thoroughbred race horses all his life.

He saw me poring over a Racing Form one day at the track and just shook his head chuckling.

'Son, that magazine won't you help win today's races,' he said. 'Not be along shot.

'Let me ask you a question. How did you feel when you got up last Tuesday morning?'

'I can't say I remember, Red,' was my response.

'That is my point. When he handicappers doped out this information, a horse could feel one way. But on race day two days later, the horse might wake up with a cold or the flu and might not feel like running. A horse is an athlete. If an athlete ain't up to par, there's no way it will perform well.'

Red's method of handicapping was to study the odds.

The odds are determined by the amount of money bet on a horse. The public bets one way, and the owners and track people wager another way.

Each time money is wagered on a horse, the odds change. Owners and track people bet proportionately more money on a hose than the general public. When the odds 'dance around,' as Red describes it - bounce from 5/2 to 2/1, and then go back to 5/2, it generally means that track money is being bet on that horse. And when that happens, it mans the track people know something about he animal that is not known to the public.

I have picked a lot of winners over the years by watching the odds on the toe board. And it's saved me quite a few dollars that I have not spent on the Daily racing Form. Just a tip to the wise....

Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.

(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).