The industry likes to think that Horseplayers aren't value oriented, that takeout doesn't matter, that lowering takeout doesn't work, etc. At best, this is wishful thinking. Horseplayers are like any other consumers. Sure, there are some that will pay the high prices at Quickie Marts for convenience, some regularly, some once in a while, but the majority of consumers have are attracted to Walmart. Maximizing one's bankroll makes for more fun (assuming that many gamble at least partly for the rush, the more bets one can make, the fun one can have) and for the more serious Horseplayer, increases ones chance for profit.
There are betting sites that give out selective free past performances as long as specified thresholds are met. Normally these sites do not give much in the way of player rewards which really can increase one's bang for the buck. Why not have the best of two worlds?
Aside from this, if the industry is really to grow, besides lowering takeout, free past performances should be a must. Sports fans (whether they bet or not) and fantasy sports players can have just about any free stats on players and teams with the click of a mouse. It has been like that since the internet was invented. Some handicapping info sites like Equibase and TimeFormUS give out a freebie race or two each day and if it makes sense, monthly subscriptions can be the way to go.
The best one can do today is mostly free selective past performances. Here are some of the better sites for newbies and smart consumers to check out:
Thoroughbred Graded Stake Races In One Handy Place
Selective Free Past Performances by Stable, Trainer, or Sire For All Thoroughbred Tracks
Selective Free Past Performances By Track and Much More
Free International Past Performances
Japan Racing
Northlands Park might be the only track that has free past performances that have track variant adjusted speed figures in them.
Harness Racing:
USTA Strategic Wagering has a page specifically for selective Pick 4 and Pick 5 sequences for specific US tracks each day. The TrackMaster numbers are very good, especially for thoroughbred guys like me who needs to see a track variant adjusted speed figure. I need a number for reference or I find it hard to even make a fun wager.
Many Canadian harness tracks have free past performances available at their websites (a few even have track variant adjusted speed figures).
Century Downs (*Has speed figs)
Clinton Raceway
Flamboro Downs
Fraser Downs (*Has speed figs)
Georgian Downs
Grand River Raceway
Mohawk Raceway
Rideau Carleton (*Has speed figs)
Western Fair
Woodbine Thoroughbred and Harness (no speed figs)
HANA's (Horseplayers Association of North America) free online magazine Horseplayer Monthly is out. Belmont Stakes edition. Lots of handicapping insight, always a must read.
Will we have a Triple Crown winner tomorrow in American Pharoah? Science says no. Science has evolution and the age of the earth right, maybe science is due for a loser?
