Is weight really an important factor in horse racing? Does a few pounds really affect the performance of a horse that weighs between 700 pounds and over 1000 pounds?

The answer is, of course, yes! Official handicappers have been using weight to level the playing field for years and they are no idiots. If it didn’t make sense then they wouldn’t!

However, there are a few ways we can use the weights to help find a winning horse, as no system is foolproof. When examining the form of a career, here are a few things to keep in mind …

1. The official handicap is determined by the last races of the horses and their performance. If they ran well, the weight increases, if not, the weight decreases. The weights are not set taking into account the race the horse will run today.

2. The greater the distance, the more effect the weight will have. It is much easier for a horse to sprint for 5 feet with an additional 6 pounds on the back than it is to carry that extra weight in a 2-mile run.

3. Horses that move up in class will go up in the handicap, but will often have less weight than in the last race due to the higher quality of the competition. Look for these horses with high speed ratings, if they have shown that they can outrun most horses in the race, having less weight on their back will give them a significant advantage.

4. When considering how much extra weight will affect a horse compared to his last run, notice the differences. Horses that are carrying much more weight than last time and are climbing on the trip (at least 2f preferably) face a serious challenge. Because these racers are often horses that have done well in their last race, they will often have low prices and are the prime candidates for laying.

5. On the other side of number 4, always keep an eye out for horses that posted a good speed rating in their last race, are carrying less weight than last time, and are going down on the trip. Not only will they be able to run faster than last time with less weight, but they will also be able to handle their weight more easily on the shorter trip. These horses are often worth considering as back bets.

Keep these tips in mind and you are guaranteed to gain an advantage when choosing a horse to bet on. Remember: a well-informed bettor is a winning bettor!