UK Firm To Detect Steroids In Horses

The use of steroids in sports has long been a source of controversy. From basketball to football to cycling to running – drug testing is as much part of the game as regular training and exercise. I suppose that the desire to be better and to come out on top just overwhelms common sense in some people.

Anyhow, if things go the way the researchers at Quotient Bioresearch want, we could soon see testing done on horses as well. Not that this is not happening already – indeed horses are already being tested to ensure that no illegal drugs are being used on them to increase their performance. What the researchers Quotient Bioresearch are doing is to look at different indicators to determine if doping has occurred.

Genome Web has the story:

The approach developed by the Quotient Bioresearch team uses LC-MS/MS for the targeted analysis of proteotypic peptides. Peptides produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of a protein act as quantitative surrogates. Liquid chromatography separates the peptides, which are then monitored by tandem mass spectrometry using multiple reaction monitoring.

Because protein identification and quantitation are performed separately and only a well-defined set of peptides is studied in each quantitation experiment, the approach leads to higher quality data, according to the researchers. In combination with isotopically labeled peptide internal standards, the approach also was shown to be “highly accurate and reproducible with quantitative results comparable to that of clinical analyzers,” the researchers added.

I know – it is such a jumble of technical terms, isn’t it? I am no scientist but from what I understand, they are looking at the changes that happen in the body of a horse that has been doped, and not at the presence of the doping agent itself. This is reliable because the traces of drugs may disappear faster but the biological effects will last longer.

Of Computer Programs And Horse Racing

I am a technophile. If I can use a piece of technology to do something – whether it’s for work or for leisure – I will do so. But when it comes to making your picks for horse races, does technology apply as well? Should you rely on computer programs when it comes to betting on horse races?

There are many computer programs, or software, available these days that are designed to help you select horses to bet on. The idea is simple, actually. The program is fed data that you would normally see in form books and past race results. At the click of your mouse, the program will give you selections based on the data that is inputted.

If you think about it, it is actually the same as going over those form books and past racing results yourself. You are only mechanizing the process, making it faster and giving you less work.

So why am I sending off vibes which do not seem to be all positive (with regard to the software)? The answer is this: while computer programs can accurately give you selections based on the data inputted, the results are limited by the nature of the information you feed them. Software can only read hard facts. They do not take into consideration other factors that may come into play when you actually select your horses “manually.”

What I am saying is that computer programs can help you to a certain extent but I would not suggest relying solely on them. Use a program and then trust your instincts as well.

Select Racing Club Gives Power To Punters

Every punter dreams of owning a race horse one day. For most people, this dream remains just that – a dream. Owning an ordinary horse is not a cheap thing; owning a race horse even more expensive. As such, many of us have to content ourselves with betting and watching horses race without the satisfaction of owning any of those in the race.

A new horse racing club is set to change that, however. The Select Racing Club is the world’s first “democratic” horse racing club. With the motto “Power to Punters,” the club aims to give the average punter the chance to own race horses. How so?

People can join the club and become members for a relatively low yearly subscription. The members then vote online to decide on what horses the club buys, where they race, and which jockeys ride which horses. It is indeed very democratic, involving everyone who is part of the club. The best part comes when the horses win – everyone gets a share of the prize money!

And how is the Select Racing Club faring so far? Their first horse is Rupestrian, trained by Tim Vaughan, who has already made a name for himself in the racing world. And Lady Luck seems to be bestowing her favors on the club as so far, Rupestrian has had three wins out of three runs! Obviously, this is making a lot of people happy.

Of course, this is not to say that they will always have winning combinations, but it is safe to say that this club will be garnering more attention in the months to come.

Horse Racing In Iraq

Horse racing probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when Iraq is mentioned. After all, the country is still on the road to recovery after the war. Indeed, battles are fought all over the country on a daily basis. Why would horse racing be at the top of anyone’s list in Iraq?

But despite the stark reality and the fact that gambling is NOT allowed in Islamic law, horse racing does have a following in Iraq. I, myself, just found out about it today when I read a feature article on AFP:

Seven thoroughbred horses thundered down the backstretch engulfed in a cloud of desert dust before Rose of Ali surged across the finish line first, spurred by the zealous whip of a jockey in white silks.

A small crowd of spectators at Baghdad’s Equestrian Club cheered as they moved towards the winner’s enclosure.

Others sauntered over to collect their winnings or pored over the list of runners in the next race, featuring contenders named Lover, Cordoba and Sharqiya.

There were just a few hundred enthusiasts gathered at Iraq’s only horse racing track on one recent afternoon, perhaps reflecting that gambling of any kind is a pleasure forbidden by Islam.

The track in the west of the city has nevertheless been open almost continuously for more than 80 years.

Can you imagine that? Despite the odds, the track has been in existence for almost a century! If other sports such as football and basketball bring together different nations, horse racing does it for the Iraqis. Wishing them all the best!

More Useful Betting Tips

In the previous post, we took a look at some things that you can consider when betting on horse races. Those are tried and tested tips, trust me. Here are a few more which I would like to share with you.

Learn to accept losing.
This is a basic concept. As with any other gambling endeavor, horse racing will certainly be rife with losses. There really is not much that you can do to avoid a losing streak every so often. Even the best punters will experience such streaks. What is left for you to do is to accept that it will happen and make your plans revolve over the long term.

Be careful of accumulator bets.
These bets are pushed so hard and are advertised as “high returns for small stakes.” On the surface, it is the ultimate dream. You only risk a little bit and stand to win huge. However, they are really harder to win and the more extra selections you make, the higher the odds go in favor of the bookie.

Consider betting to place.
While some people think that it is not the best part of betting, it is actually a good way to maximize your earnings. You can choose races with 8 to 10 horses in it. They pay out for 3 places, so you have higher chances of winning. However, it is not advisable to do this for races with more than 10 horses as it will only make it harder to choose 3 placers.

There you go, my tips for now. Have fun making your bets!

Useful Horse Racing Betting Tips

So you’re new to horse race betting? I have two main things to tell you. One, do not be overconfident and think that you can just jump into the water without equipping yourself. No matter that you think you have the talent to win big. You have to know the basics of betting. Two, do not despair that you might not learn all that there is to learn about horse race betting. There are many resources that can help you, and this blog is one of them. Here are some of the most useful betting tips that you can use on a regular basis.

Pick out a system and then set your stakes low enough.
There are many betting systems out there. You may want to choose a tried and tested one or you may want to come up with your own. If you are just beginning, though, I suggest reading up on the various existing systems and adapt one for your own first.

Then, remember not to make your stakes too high. In every betting system, no matter how good it is, there will be low patches. You have to make sure that you are not losing too much during these low patches, so set your stakes to a reasonable level.

Don’t bet in every race.
This is tempting, oh so tempting. It is especially true if you have a large enough bankroll. More so, if you are currently on a high roll, then you might want to bet on every single race. Nope. Don’t do it. Choose your races wisely and only pick those which you are really confident about.

(More to follow)

Slots An Option In Ohio’s Racetracks

Slot machines in racetracks are nothing new. In fact, there are already many racetracks across the country which have slot machines available to the patrons. In Ohio, however, slot machines are not allowed – YET. If the Ohio government decides to do so, then horseracing enthusiasts might just be treated to slot machines! The Columbus Dispatch has this story:

As lawmakers appeared to soften their position on gambling, hundreds of horse enthusiasts rallied at the Statehouse this morning for a plan that would allow slot machines at the state’s seven racetracks.

Without slot machines, most of the racetracks likely will go out of business in the next few years, eliminating many of Ohio’s 16,000 jobs that depend on horse racing, leaders of the state’s equine industry said.

They urged supporters to write to lawmakers in favor of a proposal to allow 14,000 slot machines at the racetracks. The issue would require only approval from the General Assembly, not voters.

Take note that the General Assembly holds the decision in its hands. The voters, who might be the ones wanting to have slots in the racetracks are not part of the decision making process. Still, it seems like a good deal since the government seems to leaning towards gambling more these days. Then again, some authorities are saying that the issue is not about gambling. The placing of slots in racetracks, they say, is all about providing more jobs to the people. While I am not so sure about that rationale, having slots in racetracks is convincing enough!

Get Your Dose Of Horse Racing From Dish

As much as I would want to go to a horse race everyday and witness the excitement first hand, it simply is not possible. For one, the nearest horse racing track is many miles away. More so, I don’t think that I can afford to watch an event every single day. The nearest thing that I can get is to watch horse races on TV on a regular basis. Then again, there are limitations to that as well – horse racing channels are not always available on cable TV.

But here is the dish – Dish Network is now offering up to 80 channels of pure horse racing excitement! Yup, up to 80 channels! Multichannel has the story:

The service, created as part of a long-term deal with Racetrack Television Network and HorseRacingTV, will cost $49.99 per month and provide subscribers with as many a 700 live thoroughbred, quarterhorse, harness and greyhound races daily from racetracks from around the country, according to the company.

Each track in the package will have its own dedicated channel, allowing viewers to watch the same live, uninterrupted simulcast feed as is shown in commercial wagering establishments. The simulcast feed will also include full wagering information, paddock shots, and post parades, although consumers will not be able to place actual bets through the package.

In addition to the 80 channel package, Dish Network viewers will have the opportunity to subscribe to a $29.99 “Best of RTN” package consisting of the live simulcast feeds of 12 of the top RTN racetracks running at any given time.

This service will be launched in September. For $50 a month, I think this is a very good deal!

Wild Horse Racing Anyone?

Have you had your fill of thoroughbred racing? I highly doubt it – you can never get enough of that, can you? You have to admit though, that sometimes, you feel this yearning for some diversion, something different. If this is true for you, then you might be interested in wild horse racing. Yes, there are still wild horses out there.

I am not talking about the United States or even Europe, though. I am talking about one of the most sought after Asian destinations: Japan. Come next month, the annual wild horse racing festival will be held in Soma City. This event dates back to the 10th century – ancient as ancient can get – and is held over a period of three days.

More than wild horses trying to out speed each other, spectators can also watch samurai horsemen battle it out on the field with traditional armor and weapons. Visitors can also participate in other activities such as the opening ceremonies, which will be held in shrines in various locations such as Ota, Odaka, and Nakamura.

Going back to the races, you can also watch the Yasuda Kinen Horse Race, which features horses over three years old. This will be held at the Tokyo Racecourse. Those who follow the Asian horse racing circuit will know that this is the last leg of the Asian Mile Challenge.

Whether you are from Asia or other parts of the world, as long as you are a horse racing enthusiast, you will definitely find these events of interest.

Race Track Collision

We often hear of collisions on the highway or car race tracks. But collisions in the horse racing track? Yes, it does happen and it is not a pretty sight.

Just this week, we witnessed such an event when Raspberry Miss, a 2-year-old filly died following a collision with another horse. This happened at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The Washington Post has this story:

The filly, trained by Ken McPeek, was standing near the finish line during a morning training session when Doctor Rap dumped jockey Tony Farina and took off. Doctor Rap, a 3-year-old colt trained by David Carroll, ran into the back of Raspberry Miss, sending both horses to the ground.

Raspberry Miss was taken to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., with multiple fractures and lacerations in her pelvis. Veterinarian Larry Bramlage recommended she be euthanized, but the filly died from shock before being administered an injection. . . .

When I first heard of the news, I thought that the accident occurred during a race. I was dismayed because I know that the authorities have been working hard to accredit race tracks in order for safety measures to clearly in place. We all know how dangerous the sport can be, after all. But after realizing that the accident occurred outside of an event, I was even more dismayed. There are no details about what spooked the other horse, and we can’t really point fingers here, but this is something that authorities should look at, don’t you think?

keep looking »

Recent Articles

• UK Firm To Detect Steroids In Horses
• Of Computer Programs And Horse Racing
• Select Racing Club Gives Power To Punters
• Horse Racing In Iraq
• More Useful Betting Tips
• Useful Horse Racing Betting Tips
• Slots An Option In Ohio’s Racetracks
• Get Your Dose Of Horse Racing From Dish
• Wild Horse Racing Anyone?
• Race Track Collision

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