Since, when compared to thoroughbred racing, harness racing is subject to fewer factors determining the outcome of a race, harness racing can be much easier to beat than when betting on thoroughbreds.

Also, since thoroughbreds typically run by day, and trotters in the evenings, bettors working a 9 to 5 day job usually find it more convenient keeping track of harness races than of those featuring thoroughbreds. And given that the average harness racing enthusiast is no more than a casual bettor “in it” for a fun-filled evening (not to mention willing to pay for that fun in losing tickets!), anyone with even just a small amount of knowledge more than the average median really is in an advantaged position.

Herewith then, a basic guide to what harness racing is about.

Trotters Vs. Pacers

Even though https://ausbet.net.au/horse/harness-racing-betting/ is often referred to as “the trotters”, the reality is that only about 30% of all harness-racing horses are actually trotters – the rest are pacers. And pacers have an entirely different racing gait.

A harness horse is basically referred to as being a harness horse because of it being connected, or harnessed, to a cart with two wheels and a driver. Also referred to as standardbreds, harness racing horses are known to be much sturdier animals than thoroughbreds. This is because standardbreds have been crossbred for the specific purpose of creating a horse that is sturdy on its feet.

What this ultimately comes down to is that harness racing horses, though not as quick as in-bred thoroughbreds, are hardworking horses. They absolutely thrive on being trotted and paced; even on race day.

All of this is important to keep in mind in as far as the likelihood exists of a harness racing horse being pulled from a race. Since harness racing horses aren’t allowed to gain ground by galloping away and ahead of the rest of the pack, and harness horses are often unable to confine the gait and launch into a gallop in any event, it is best to stick to pacers instead of trotters. This is the golden rule at least when first starting out. And this is simply because pacers, unlike trotters, are usually kitted out with what is referred to as “hobbling” equipment. This makes a pacer being pulled from a race a largely unlikely event.

Picking A Winner

Identifying a horse likely to win a harness race basically comes down to studying the most recent times posted by each horse in a given race. Since nearly all harness races are set at a distance of one mile, it’s easy to compare the race times of one horse to those of another.

The horse most likely then to win any standard harness race, is the horse consistently faster than his competitors, the horse not habitually eliminated as a result of a tendency to break into a gallop, a horse in good condition, and finally, a horse paired with a driver of good standing.