Texas Horse Racing Handicapping

How racing works in Texas

Texas has live horse racing at a handful of tracks. Racing is regulated by the state, and the money bet on a race goes into a shared pool (called pari-mutuel). Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie is the Dallas–Fort Worth track. Other Texas tracks include Sam Houston Race Park near Houston and Retama Park near San Antonio. Race dates change from year to year, so check each track's own schedule.

Two breeds, two kinds of race

Quarter Horses run short, straight sprints measured in yards, often over in 12 to 22 seconds. Thoroughbreds run longer races measured in furlongs, usually around one or two turns. They need different homework. See the Quarter Horse race day guide and the Thoroughbred race day guide.

What to study in every race

• Recent form: how the horse ran in its last three races, and whether it is getting better or worse.
• Speed: the time or speed number compared with the other horses at the same distance.
• Distance and surface: has it run well at this distance, on this kind of track?
• Rider and trainer: who is winning at this meet.
• Class: is the horse moving up against better horses, or down against weaker ones?
• The odds board: the crowd's opinion. Compare it with yours.

Step by step: how to handicap horse racing and how to read a racing form.

Why one track is easier than the whole state

The same horses, riders and trainers come back to the same track again and again. When you follow one track, you learn who is fast, who is hot and how the track plays. That is the idea behind Brian's Lucky Picks: one track, a memory of every horse. Read how the picks are made.

See it on a real race day

Every Lone Star Park race day has its own page with the race list and post times, then results, payouts and Brian's final picks after each race, win or lose. Start at Lone Star Park Picks, or open picks today. The full record is on the results page.

Keep reading

• Dallas and Grand Prairie horse racing tips
• Quarter Horse race day guide
• Thoroughbred race day guide
• How to handicap Quarter Horses
• How to read a racing form
• How our picks are made
• Lone Star Park entries and results
• Every pick, win or lose

Good to know

Brian's Lucky Picks is a handicapping information subscription. No bets are taken and nothing can be gambled on this site. The only charge is the pass. Picks are opinions, not guarantees. Not affiliated with Lone Star Park. 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Questions