Do Speed Handicapping Systems Work For Dog Racing?
Greyhounds are really fast.
They can reach speeds of up to 45 mph during a race.
If you're standing at the fence, watching them come around a turn, you wonder why they don't just take off flying, they're so fast.
This is probably why there are so many speed handicapping systems for greyhound racing.
If you know that the fastest dog is going to win, why not just pick the fastest dog to bet on? Boy, it would be great if it was that simple.
Of course, it'd be impossible to make money, because everyone would do it.
Luckily, it's not that simple, because speed is relative.
It depends on grade, position and the way that the dogs interact during the race.
Speed gets less important as you go down the grade ladder.
In the best races, the dogs are so evenly matched and so good at racing technique that speed is often what determines the winner.
Not completely, because there are other factors like track condition, weather, post position and just plain, dumb luck, but speed is a biggie in the better races.
In the lower grades, speed is a lesser factor.
The dogs aren't as good at maneuvering.
They have more trouble calls.
They're not as good at overcoming bad breaks and post positions that don't favor their running style.
Even if you figure out how to use a speed handicapping system to compare the dogs, it very seldom gives you a true picture of the way their speed compares in this particular race.
There are other much more important factors that have more of an effect on the race.
It's the people who know that and use the other factors that cash tickets.
They know that speed is only one small part of greyhound handicapping and notice it, but they don't dwell on it.
If you're using speed as a major factor in handicapping.
Or if you're using a speed handicapping system and it isn't helping you pick winners, maybe you should consider another approach.
Find a system that depends on the REAL factors that indicate that a dog is a contender.
They can reach speeds of up to 45 mph during a race.
If you're standing at the fence, watching them come around a turn, you wonder why they don't just take off flying, they're so fast.
This is probably why there are so many speed handicapping systems for greyhound racing.
If you know that the fastest dog is going to win, why not just pick the fastest dog to bet on? Boy, it would be great if it was that simple.
Of course, it'd be impossible to make money, because everyone would do it.
Luckily, it's not that simple, because speed is relative.
It depends on grade, position and the way that the dogs interact during the race.
Speed gets less important as you go down the grade ladder.
In the best races, the dogs are so evenly matched and so good at racing technique that speed is often what determines the winner.
Not completely, because there are other factors like track condition, weather, post position and just plain, dumb luck, but speed is a biggie in the better races.
In the lower grades, speed is a lesser factor.
The dogs aren't as good at maneuvering.
They have more trouble calls.
They're not as good at overcoming bad breaks and post positions that don't favor their running style.
Even if you figure out how to use a speed handicapping system to compare the dogs, it very seldom gives you a true picture of the way their speed compares in this particular race.
There are other much more important factors that have more of an effect on the race.
It's the people who know that and use the other factors that cash tickets.
They know that speed is only one small part of greyhound handicapping and notice it, but they don't dwell on it.
If you're using speed as a major factor in handicapping.
Or if you're using a speed handicapping system and it isn't helping you pick winners, maybe you should consider another approach.
Find a system that depends on the REAL factors that indicate that a dog is a contender.
