Anyone who has not experienced the thrill of horse racing with the sound of hooves thundering by, the jockeys with their colors urging their mounts on, the crowd on tenterhooks waiting for the outcome of the game and very often their fortunes, does not know what he is missing. Even more than the gambling, it’s the sheer excitement that grips spectators where horse racing is concerned.

Let’s take a look at the history of horse racing in our country. It all began when the US was just a colony and the first track was in Long Island. The Jockey Club was set up in 1750 and horse racing spread all over North America. The famous Kentucky Derby was first organized after the Civil War and today is among the three most famous events together with the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness. Not just in the US but all over the world, this sport has become popular among all strata of society. If a person cannot go and watch a race, he can always sit glued to his TV set with nail-biting concentration.

Bulle Rock was perhaps the most famous horse in the 18th century but the most popular one is Seabiscuit, which won its first race in 1937. The intrigue that surrounded this horse, which was a target for a death threat, has inspired a book and a movie. One particular attempt on its life made headlines!

Let’s look at the lineage of horses in the horse racing circuit. The thoroughbred is the most famous and was imported from England. It has an Arab and Turk ancestry. It can keep going for long distances and can carry a lot of weight, which makes its perfect for racing. Almost all the famous horses on the racing scene are thoroughbreds. For smaller sprints, the Quarter horse is usually used. These also find favor in ranches and farms. They are sometimes crossed with thoroughbreds to improve their speed.

What attracts a lot of people to horse racing events is the thrill and adventure of men and beasts pitted against each other. Equally important is the betting. Today, this has been elevated to almost a science with bettors needing to know about a horse’s ancestry, medical history and temperament before they put down their money. This is a high-risk sport like all other fast sports and injuries to both horse and jockey are common. Horse racing season has also evolved to be a fashionable event with a great deal of designer outfits on show. In fact, today, there’s a perfect blend of sport and style in every racetrack around the world.

Copyright 2006 Ngullen Rivera

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There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to betting on the horses. Some people believe that it’s impossible to profit in horse racing. Some believe that all you need to do is bet the favorites. Still, others believe that the only way to make money is to bet the huge long shots and pray for a miracle. All of these thoughts are false. You can make money betting on horses, and you don’t need to pick favorites all the time or bet on miracle finishes often.

Here is a juicy piece of information for you. The favorite wins the race (thoroughbred racing) about 33% of the time. Therefore, if you simply bet the favorite, you will be losing 67% of the time. Since favorites don’t always pay too well, you would end up losing over the long run. Still, money can be made betting on favorites. Each race is different. In some races, the favorite might be an even money favorite. In others, the favorite might be a 3-1 favorite.

How you bet is just as important as how much you bet. A common bet is called across the board. When you make this wager, you are betting on the horse to win, place and show. If the horse comes in first, you win all three bets. The show bet is the most conservative wager in horse racing, and it pays like it. It’s common to be paid only 20 cents on the dollar for a show bet. Many inexperience bettors place a show bet “to be safe,” but it’s a money sink.

Unless the horse is going off at a good price (odds), making a show bet is a losing proposition. The best way to wager on a good horse is win and possibly place—never show. Think about it this way, if I told you I had a proposition that you might win 33% of the time, and it will pay 1-5, which means you bet $5 and win $1, would you jump on it? Of course you wouldn’t. This is kind of what it’s like to make a show bet on a good horse.

At the end of the day, how you wager can up accounting for half or more of your success potential. Bettors that don’t figure this out wonder why their bankroll is not larger after their “winning” day. Place your bets properly and you will be halfway home to being a successful horse racing bettor. Money can be and is, made in horse racing every single day. On busy days, there are more than one hundred betting opportunities to take advantage of. One last piece of advice. If a race is not favorable to you—odds wise—move along. There will be plenty more races to bet on.

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Even though our lives progressively moves forward
on occasion it has a way of working what seems to
be in a backwards motion, yet in the end achieves
the same results. I remember years ago when I
started my bodybuilding career, I had no self-
confidence, poor self-esteem, and an introverted
personality. I couldn’t fathom doing what others
believed I could accomplish in such an unusual
sport that went totally against my nature.
However, at first I thought, “I didn’t want to let
them down and what if they’re right? What if I
could accomplish something if I set my mind to it,
I asked? What if by believing in something bigger
than myself would allow me to be a better person,
develop confidence and be more outgoing?” Then
over a period of time the belief others had
started to rub off in me, combined with my work
ethic the rest became history.

I really don’t want to compare myself to a horse,
but in the movie “Sea Biscuit”, a similar
experience takes place. Four men from all together
different backgrounds come together with a hope, a
prayer and a horse of all things. They believed
that with a little direction, Sea Biscuit would
accomplish great things and surpass immeasurable
odds. So inspired by a few (who happened to be
going by the seat of their pants), Sea Biscuit
began to believe he too could do great things.
The thing is, this horse didn’t know nor did he
care that these four men combined had only a hand
full of horse sense (no pun intended). They
believed in him and that was all that mattered.
As Sea Biscuits confidence grew his influence upon
those around him did also. Through Sea Biscuits
determination and pure heart many who followed him
began to believe in themselves in the midst of a
depression and many hardships. In some crazy
fashion this horse began to change the lives of
thousands of people all because a few men came
together having a sense of purpose, a little hope,
a lot of prayers and a horse to get them there.

If an animal like Sea Biscuit could influence
people, can you imagine what Jesus Christ can do
with you? Hebrews 11 says, “that our life with
Christ is built upon what we believe not by what
we see.” At times in our Christian walk we need
those around us that believe in Christ, in us and
have a little faith even when we can’t see our
future. Hopefully, if you are willing, sooner or
later that confidence rubs off and we take hold of
Gods will for our lives. That’s why small groups
and close Christian friends are so important in
our walk with Christ. Other people can be the glue
that holds us together when at times we seem to be
falling apart. As in horse racing so it is in our
life with Christ, it’s not the start that counts
it’s finishing strong.

Never underestimate the power of small groups and
close friends. If it weren’t for small groups,
close friends and people who believe in me, there
have been times during this past year, I don’t
know what I would have done without them all.
Never turn down an invitation from God to
fellowship with a close group of friends,
participate in an ABF class, or just share some
quality time praying and believing in something or
someone. Those four men never knew how far a hope,
a prayer and a horse could go, but with God all
things are possible.

NEW SERIES NEXT WEEK: :WHEN GOD SPEAKS

Greg Ryan is a best selling author of the Changing from the INSIDE OUT series. A powerful five step plan to better your life, get healthier, and have more energy!
For FREE mini Course click here! http://www.resolutions.bz

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