2024 Horse Racing Picks – Our Expert Horse Racing Picks, Predictions & Advices
Welcome to our dedicated hub for horse racing picks from esteemed handicappers. We provide free picks on all the biggest races, from the Kentucky Derby to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. You will benefit from a wealth of valuable insight if you bookmark this page and return regularly.
We will also explain how to make horse racing picks and highlight the best online racebooks in the business. Read on to discover high-quality daily horse racing picks.
Free Horse Racing Picks Today
This section will be updated with daily horse racing picks. Our pro cappers have a finger on the pulse. They hunt out value on races taking place across America and around the world, and they deliver their best horse racing picks here. If you return to this section regularly, you will benefit from free horse racing picks.
Augusta Free Press’ Expert Horse Racing Picks & Predictions
We offer horse racing picks on all the biggest races of the year. These are the biggest races to look out for:
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is America’s most famous race. It is the first leg of the Triple Crown, a trio of races open to elite three-year-old thoroughbreds. The qualifying process is intense, so only the best runners make it to the starting gate. We look out for Beyer, Brisnet and Timeform US Speed Figures, plus post positions when making our picks. Class, pace, style and staying power are the key attributes to focus on. If you’re interested in betting on the Kentucky Derby, be sure to check out reputable Kentucky Derby betting sites for the best odds and betting options.
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the Triple Crown. It is a little longer, so horse racing picks on this race often focus on runners that finished the Kentucky Derby with a flourish and looked like they wanted more ground to cover. Pacesetters and speed horses have great records in the Preakness, which we consider when making our horse racing picks. If you’re interested in betting on the Preakness Stakes, be sure to explore reputable sportsbooks or betting sites for the best odds and betting options.
Belmont Stakes
The final leg of the Triple Crown is also the longest, so horses with staying power typically thrive. We study the horses’ performances in the previous two legs of the Triple Crown, where applicable, and gather a vast body of data on each runner before making our Belmont horse racing picks.
Breeders’ Cup Classic
The Breeders’ Cup Classic is the richest and most prestigious race of the year in the United States. This Grade 1 contest is run under weight for age conditions at a different track each fall, with a $6 million prize purse. It takes place over 1 1⁄4 miles, so it is suitable for Kentucky Derby runners, but they must compete with talented older horses. Our cappers have a strong record in this race.
Melbourne Cup
The race that stops a nation takes place in the Australian city of Melbourne each year. The organizers claim that more than 600 million people across the globe watch it, which would leave the Cup vying with the Grand National as the world’s most popular race. This is a true test of stamina, run over 3,200m (1m, 1,740y), and we will offer horse racing picks on the action.
Dubai World Cup
The Dubai World Cup is the world’s second richest race, with prize money of $12 million. It is also the main event on Dubai World Cup Night – which has total prize funds of $30 million, making it the richest day of racing each year. Check in with this page each year for our best horse racing picks on the event.
Saudi Cup
The Saudi Cup has overtaken the Dubai World Cup to become the world’s richest horse race. It carries a purse of $20 million. It was inaugurated in 2020, and Emblem Road won it in 2022. The prize money ensures this race always boasts an elite field, so check out our horse racing picks each year to gain an edge.
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
Europe’s richest race boasts a glorious heritage. It has been running since 1920, when it was named after the famous Parisian monument following World War I. We have been handicapping it for many years, so be sure to look out for our expert horse racing picks on the Arc.
What are Horse Racing Picks?
Horse racing picks are predictions on how a race will unfold. They often predict which horse will win the race, but they can also focus on markets such as the place, the show, across the board or even an exacta.
Anyone can make horse racing picks. However, picks from seasoned handicappers with strong track records gain the most attention.
The idea is to map out how the race will end. Ideally, you need to focus on the strengths and weaknesses of each horse and rank them in a finishing order. That will help you pick a winner and find value on markets like the place and the show. (Xanax)
How we Make Horse Racing Picks and Predictions
We perform rigorous research before providing our horse racing picks and predictions. These are some of the key areas we focus on:
Study Past Performance Data
The first job is to establish basic information about the race – the distance, the surface and the racetrack. Closer to the time of the race, we can also assess the conditions and the post positions. We then study the past performance data on each runner and watch a wealth of replays to determine how they will fare.
We check how well each horse has performed in races of a similar class and distance, and against a similar caliber of opponents. The conditions can play a huge role too, as some horses relish dry ground and others come into their own in the slop. We then rank the horses in order to determine how they should finish.
Check Trainer-Jockey Combinations
You often find that certain trainers and jockeys go on a hot streak, or they thrive in certain races or at specific tracks. We take that sort of data into account when making our horse racing picks.
It is also helpful to identify strong trainer-jockey combinations. Trainers will often have more than one runner in a race, but a specific stable jockey or superstar rider will always be aboard the trainer’s leading hope.
Look for Interesting Long Shots
It is tempting to bet on the favorite to win each race. After all, that horse will be on a tear, having performed well in recent outings. However, routinely betting on the favorite is a surefire way to incur a long-term loss. If it were that easy, everyone would be millionaires.
The real art lies in picking longer shots that have a great chance of upsetting the odds. Horses that struggled last time out often bounce back under different conditions or over a preferred distance. Runners that were beaten favorites in their last races often secure victory too.
Consider a Variety of Bet Types
You do not simply need to bet on the winner of each race. You can often enjoy more success by backing intriguing outsiders with place or show bets. Exotic bets like exactas and trifectas can provide large payouts, but they are tough to nail, so you might want to consider boxed exactas or trifectas instead to make life a little easier.
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Where to Find Horse Racing Expert Picks
You will find expert horse racing picks by routinely visiting Augusta Free Press. If you want a second opinion, YouTube is a great source. You will need to establish a handicapper’s credentials, but there are some diamonds in the rough on that platform.
Some betting sites also provide expert picks. For example, BetUS has handicappers on its TV section to discuss the Triple Crown races. You can find insight at sites like TwinSpires and TVG too.
Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
We worked hard to find the best horse racing betting sites for US horseplayers. We ultimately narrowed the field down to these elite, trustworthy online racebooks:
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