Issue 44
July 10 - 16, 2001
Volume 1
page 3
 

Takach’s ‘Prime Collection II’
Looks At Body Language of Horses Again

By Howard Schwartz

Some people look at Beyer numbers, angles, systems, betting patterns, track conditions or horse horoscopes to pick winners. Whatever works. Joe Takach, a California handicapper and author, looks at a horse’s body language as an indicator of whether an animal is ready to contend or is just going to go through the motions of running around the track while your money rides its past performances.

In his newest work, Physicality Handicapping Made Easy (29 pages, 9x11 plastic bound, $19.95), Takach explains how a handicapper’s observational skills can make the difference between identifying a potential contender and eliminate one you might as well categorize as a phony deadbeat who won’t run and whose trainer might be a bit nearsighted or shortsighted or just plain greedy.

In 13 mini-sections, Takach alerts the bettor to what to look for during the post parade or in the paddock, in a positive or negative sense. The smart handicapper will already have comprised, for simplicity, a sort of checklist of important concepts. If you are one of those newcomers to the racing game who was totally unaware of these factors, the book will serve as a generator of checklist material.

For example, how a horse walks is often an indicator to it feels. Takach tells you what “walking short” means and why it’s a no-no. He also tells you when an accurate assessment should be made. “...the only time to assess correct walking is when the horse is permitted to walk in his natural gait...if it appears that the groom is altering the stride in any manner, a proper assessment can’t be made,” he warns.

He emphasizes too that the importance of walking well ... “is the first thing I look for with every horse I view, contender or not.”

Takach next moves to a horse’s ears and their significance in betting decisions. He tell you that “The most desirable ear position is pricked upwards and straightforward,” and that “pinned ears suggest extreme anger (this is when the ears are swept back and flush against the head).

He moves to the significance of “flickering ears” and “flopped over” ears; tails; muscling; color as a barometer of health; energy levels (there are five basic types including “the walking dead” and the “walking half-dead”—clearly not good signs); negative equipment (front wraps and run-out bits).

Two final sections explain the importance of observing the pre-race warm-up and even the post-race warm-down; and an overall summary of reading horse body language as an important tool in every day handicapping.

This is clearly not something an untrained individual can do on his or her own. It almost suggest you need a good checklist; perhaps a helping hand or two from a friend or relative; a need to watch replays and apply notes and evaluation to each race; and much patience and confidence to accept what you observe and develop confidence in your findings.

Just as a good poker player can pick up hints or clues as to what opponents have done or are about to do via body language, a dedicated horseplayer, open to using every possible tool to make money or save money, can use Takach’s material to improve their game at the track.

This book is available at Gambler’s Book Shop, 630 South 11th St., Las Vegas, 89101, by calling 1-800-522-1777 from 9 to 5 Pacific time, Mon.-Sat. You may use MasterCard, VISA or Discover to order. You may order via the store’s website at www.gamblersbook.com or by sending a check or money order to the store including $6.50 for first class postage. The store’s 80-page catalog is also free for the asking or can be seen at the website. It includes 1,000 different books, videos and computer software for players, management and researchers in 30 areas of gambling. The store is now in its 37th year.

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