If betting on race horses relied solely on choosing the right horse at exactly the right time, the industry might have gone belly-up ages ago due to sheer indifference. This system, which is founded purely on luck, is no way to make a winning horse racing pick – at least, not if one wants to be consistently successful.

To avoid relying on the fickle whims of Lady Luck, experienced horseplayers rely on several things to determine where to place their bets. The first, of course, is handicapping. Studying past performances, running styles, and track conditions can give players a good idea of how a race may turn out. Even the physical conditions of horses on the race day itself are carefully scrutinized. After all, even seemingly small irritations can cost bettors thousands of dollars at the betting windows.

Another way is comparing personal handicapping efforts with the opinions of noted experts in the field, such as former jockeys, stable owners, professional horse racing fanatics, and the like. These people have an insider’s view of horse racing, and can make important observations on things that a lot of more casual horseplayers fail to notice. Since they know how the world of horse racing works, they are in a unique position to take that knowledge and turn it into winning bets. This specialized information can be the fine line that separates a winning horse racing pick from a losing one.

TVG features analysis and opinion-based talk shows from some of the most highly regarded names in the horse racing field. Programs like :58 Flat with Mad Matt Carothers and Racing Roundtable offer insightful horse racing analyses, interviews, and information from top names in the industry. Odds, picks, and complete handicapping information for any US race and track are also available, all based on statistics and information from leading race data providers Equibase. All these and more help make the task of choosing a winning horse racing pick much easier. About the only thing TVG doesn’t provide is luck, and with their superior resources, even this unpredictable lady’s influence is kept to a minimum.

One of the best things you can do to improve your chances of making the right horse racing pick is to study each of the horses before the race begins. Consider for a moment if you were going to buy a car. You would probably look at several different models, right? It is the same with making a pick at the track.

You need to study all of the horses to find the right one on which to wager money. Under no circumstances should you simply fall for the look of a horse and bet just because you like the look of it; that is, unless you don’t mind losing. Look for horses that have performed well in the past and look to be in good condition on the day of the race.

You also need to spend make sure you are picking the right horse for the right race. Some horses are bred to be better at racing short distances while others are better at going the distance. Make sure you know your horses in order to make the best horse racing picks for the races on which you will be betting.

By keeping these guidelines in mind you will be much better prepared to make the right horse racing pick.