If your scribe were to be asked what is the best way to improve one’s handicapping, the answer would be; study the structure of racing. In other words the selector should start by breaking racing down into proper categories and applying appropriate analysis (handicapping) to each of the segments.

This, as opposed to trying to handicap every race in the same manner. Many selectors fail because they endeavor to use an approach that is successful with one facet of racing to every facet. It can’t be done. What works with one won’t work with another.

What succeeds with sprinters will not work with routers. Maiden claimers can’t be handicapped successfully in the same manner one employs with stake races. Dirt racing is not the same as turf racing.

Broadly speaking, routes and sprints might be considered major classifications Then, beneath each of these basic headings we’d sub-divide with two additional categories i.e., dirt and grass racing.

One should then recognize sub-categories; somewhat along the lines of the following.
	Maiden Special Weights (2-year-olds) Maiden Special Weights (3-year-olds and up) Allowances Handicaps Stakes (Weight for Age) Maiden Claimers Claimers

In the foregoing, and conceding that it’s an over-simplification, we’ve created THIRTEEN distinct groupings. Each should be approached and analyzed in a unique manner; one that’s appropriate to the category being dealt with. One cannot logically or sensibly apply the same standards to all thirteen groups. Another factor that enters the picture is "class." It’s difficult, if not impossible to create valid class categories. This is so because most of the sub-categories are in a constant state of flux. This applies particularly to Maiden Special Weights, Maiden Claimers, Claiming races and Allowances.

Example: In April , Maiden Special Weight conditions attract the future stars of racing. By the end of the year the good ones have been weeded out and "promoted." Usually only the dregs remain; the future maiden claimers. Therefore don‘t assume all Maiden Special Weight type races are similar. Another example: All claiming can’t be pegged as representing a specific class. Some high-priced claimers can contain allowance and handicap horses. Even allowance races are so structured that they too could be broken down into many groupings depending on moneys earned, number of races won, age, etc.

The recognition that different principles and approaches apply to different types of racing is so basic and so important to successful handicapping that we will pursue this topic in our next article and continue until we feel we’ve covered the subject with reasonable thoroughness.

Before signing off we’d like to mention that a recent edition of the Boston Globe gave quite a laudatory spread to Aqueduct’s apprentice Norberto Arroyo, Jr. This is unusual inasmuch as the Globe’s sport section doesn’t ordinarily devote much space to thoroughbred racing.

But, even more impressive was the fact that while we were in New York our good friend Phil Johnson came over, and he too sung the praises of Arroyo. If PJ likes a rider he must be good. Additionally, we’d like to congratulate Phil on finally achieving his rightful niche in Racing’s Hall of Fame.

A final point about Arroyo: Our observation has taught us that most hot apprentices do well in sprints but rarely do they do as well in routes. Glancing at the track program for February 25th we note Arroyo has a 26.1% win average for route races as against 17.8% for sprints. Very unusual and bodes well for this bug boy’s future.

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