Brian Mulligan- Our New Horse Racing Expert Speaks Out.
By Brian Mulligan Of Madwinners.com

Good day madwinners.com fans. This will be the first of many articles and columns that will attempt to enhance the understanding of the great game of horse racing otherwise known as the Sport of Kings. Between columns, horses in trouble, and selections from around the country, hopefully this will be a banner year for betting on the horses. First, a little about myself.

I made my first bet at 8 through a friend of my father's. Pops was a big shot at General Motors and once a year he got a perk at Monmouth Park and was allowed to utilize a special box. It was not just some chairs in the Turf Club but a fully staffed area for about a dozen at the very top of the track. To put it in perspective, Princess Grace Kelly owned the box next door.

All of dad's friends would gather for drinks at the house before the track and one of his buddies asked me whom I liked in a particular race. After glancing at the sheet, I offered my opinion and broke the piggy bank for the $2 bucks needed.

About 10 hours later, the gang was home and I got $16.80 back and the rest as they say is history.

My brother was an economics major and employed for a while at Calder Race Course and he made me approach the game as a business from Day One. After working on a thoroughbred racing farm for a couple of years when I was young, I ventured to California and eventually got a job in the statistical department of the Daily Racing Form.

Within a year, I was in the editorial department, and soon took over the line making duties that I worked at for nearly 2 decades. Currently, I still contribute to the Form writing The Closer Looks, an instant evaluation of each horse's chances from races coast to coast and in between.

One thing I've learned is that this game is a work in progress and if you can't improve or learn something every day, you are not paying attention. Bettors cannot just do their work in their room, go to the track, be ignorant about scratches, the weather or the environment at the track and expect to win. There are far too many variables that make up a race that need to be scrutinized. When you start handicapping in this game, you begin by isolating the pace and figuring out where each and every entrant is projected to be as the race unfolds. This is the staple of the game, and it all changes when you have a key defection. If you don't already do it, check the styles off all the horses that scratch from the body of the race that you are betting on.

Just as the haters of the Bush administration will tell you stats lie. Figures are not always what they seem, and for those that are inflexible in the handicapping game, know you are in for a long tough road.

There is not octane flowing through these horses. They are creatures, just like you and me, and have good days, bad days, sick days, happy days, and bad hair days.

Similar to sports betting, reading in between the lines is one of the most important things about handicapping horses and the sooner one learns how not to be so stringent, the better.

It's hard to believe but the Kentucky Derby is just over 12 weeks away but there will be plenty of golden opportunities leading up to the biggest race in America. Please stay tuned for updates from tracks around the country, picks from the hot spots, and horses on the verge of breaking through.

Here's hoping 2007 will be a memorable year for all horse bettors.

The Madcappers are always available to answer your questions regarding anything related to sports betting. Even if you are not yet enrolled in our Personalcapper service we invite you to call us at 800-511-3003 with any questions. Or email us madcappers@madwinners.com