Take responsibility for your choices at the track, whether it be with horses you have in training or races on which you place wagers.

Start the new year right -- with success at the horse races!

By C. Reid McLellan

“I don’t have time.”

I’d be surprised if everyone reading this has not uttered those words more than once, and, in many cases, more than once a day.

Early in my professional career, a time management counselor pointed out that we all have the same amount of time — 24 hours each day. We make choices from several options as to how we will spend our 24 hours. I chose to go to work because I wanted to make money to pay my bills, etc. Once I realized that I was making the choices that determined how I spent my time, I didn’t feel so “out of control” of my life. Some all-powerful “they” weren’t “doing it to me.”

As you look toward a new year, consider adding this concept to your horse-playing mindset: Take responsibility for your choices at the track, whether it be with horses you have in training or races on which you place wagers. Choose to take the amount of time necessary to evaluate each race. If you decide you do not like a race, pass that race. Choose to let it go if the horse you would have bet on wins.

Choose to keep a journal. Many horse players I know start off keeping track of each of their bets and then gradually stop (usually because they are losing money). Today, it is relatively easy to keep track of wagers with player cards, wagering terminals and the like. But, this journal will include your thought process. What about a horse encouraged you to wager on that horse? Did it have the highest speed index? Was its average speed index (SI) over the past three races at least 10 points higher than the nearest challenger? What was the race scenario? What were the morning line odds on each horse? What were the odds on the horses at the time you made your wager? How did the odds change during wagering? How did you choose how much to wager?

This year, we are going to discuss these questions and how we can use the answers when we go to the track to help you have the time of your life!

As executive director of The Elite Program, C. Reid McLellan organizes and teaches Groom, Owner and Trainer Elite classes around the country. Find out about the next available class here!

As owner and agent of Purple Power Equine Services, Reid helps people buy and sell race and show prospects and provides guidance and assistance with training, breeding and other equine services.