I n racing, as in life, it’s sometimes the little things that count. The following offers two such "little things" that, on occasion, could provide the alert bettor with a good mutuel payoff.

1. Pay attention when the track announcer, on occasion, corrects the track program and states that Horse X is not a colt, he’s a gelding. Quite often such announcements could equate with the cashing of a bet that otherwise might not have been made. This only applies, however, when the announcement signifies a change in the horse’s physical condition and is not merely correcting a program "typo."

This information increases in importance if the horse in question is a two or three -year -old colt, as opposed to being a full-grown horse of age five or older. If a period of 30 or more days has lapsed, prior to the announcement, it could well be that in between today’s race and the animal’s last effort an operation took place that changed it from a colt to a gelding. Such operations frequently occur in an effort to make the animal more manageable, and to keep its attention focused on racing. The difference in performance, before and after, can sometimes be dramatic.

2. Paying close attention to the "blinkers on" footnote that frequently appears on the track program can be important. This applies particularly if the horse in question has never worn blinkers before. Contrarily, the "Blinkers off" notation means little and implies that the trainer tried blinkers without having achieved the desired response.

The purpose of experimenting with this type of equipment change is to see if it enables the horse to avoid possible distractions seen via its peripheral vision. Blinkers can prove important, particularly in cases where an animal’s previous races had indicated good early speed and then faltered. It could well be that the horse’s faltering was due more to its attention being diverted than to its inability, or it being short of condition.

A serious handicapper MUST find ways to gain an "edge," We’ve repeated this theme so often it’s almost become our mantra. Nonetheless, it’s true. You must not only know MORE than the next guy, but you must know how to USE this knowledge. Racing, due to the "nut" that the player must crack, has always been a tough game to beat. But, nowadays it’s even tougher.

There are so many genuine, and so many self-proclaimed experts, telling the betting public what the game is all about that its difficult (but not impossible) to find an approach that is still productive due to not having been high lighted by one or more of these turf gurus.

Much of what the racing fan reads about handicapping is simply re-hashed bunk and junk that’s been around for many years. Little of what is written, that’s factual or valid, is new. This is so because the creation of original worthwhile handicapping concepts require tedious, time consuming research. The average "turf advisor" is not willing to make the required effort or, even if willing to make the effort, lacks the knowledge and ability to come up with (and prove out) a valid concept.

This would not apply to some of the old timers such as Robert Saunders Dowst , Al Illich, and in more modern times to writers such as Andy Beyers, or the publishers of "The Sheets."