Hi Fairmount,

I would suggest that you first write down on paper your best thoughts on the race. Later, when you are done laying out your bet, go back and look at your thoughts on the race and make sure your bet reflects those opinions. For example, if you like Dortmund better than Materiality make sure you have more money on Dortmund. Or if you think Materiality offers more value than Carpe Diem but give them equal chance to hit the board, make sure you have more money on Materiality. Etc.

For structuring the bet, I would suggest putting your horses into groups.

K= Key Horse(s) = has to win or hit the board (depending upon how you are keying them) for you to cash.

A or A- = Strong use because they are best outside of your key horse(s) or offer a ton of value, possibly so much so that you may be structuring your bet so that one of these has to hit the board along with a key for you to cash.

B or B- = You like these horses a lot. Feel they are likely to hit the board or are offering a ton of value if one of the A horses don't hit, but they don't make or break your ticket.

C or C- = Like best of the rest.

D = only use as Saver

F = Toss

And if you have the patience for it, don't be afraid to use an A+ or B+ marking for horses you think will offer more value (better odds) than the rest in that same group. Make sure you have a little more money on the combos involving them.

You gain a big advantage over the crowd, in my opinion, if you are willing to punch out a complicated ticket. It sometimes takes me 30 minutes to 45 minutes to get my KY Derby bet in. If you have a teller, give them notice ahead of time and be prepared. If not, get one and give them notice. Bring an anal friend as a wing man that has a copy of your bets to stand next to you and check tickets as they come out. This speeds up the process and takes it off your plate. I bring 2 wingmen, one to check the tickets as they come out and another to tell all the people who keep walking up behind me that the window is closed or it will be awhile. And go make your bet right after another race ends when the lines are likely to be smallest. This is nothing but courtesy to your fellow players, but it is important.

Having a wingman or two is a big deal IMO. It really bothers me when someone gets behind me and begins to get frustrated as they wait and wait (often to bet less than $20) and assume I am taking so long because I don't know what I am doing. And I don't want any distractions. Had a guy one year that was so distracting I finally politely asked my teller to excuse me for a moment, turned around, flipped $20 on the ground and told the guy unless he was betting more than $10k to go buy a beer, pick another line or shut the *uck up.

Point is be prepared. And don't forget to tip your teller.