TRAINER - JOCKEY

Trainers and jockeys are best viewed in tandem. It's nice to know which Jockeys are preferred by which trainers, and under what special circumstances.

Know your track's trainers
Know your jockeys
Know your trainer-jockey combinations.

Fortunately, trainer/jockey statistics and patterns are commonly available, for a fee, from local information services and handicappers are strongly urged to obtain the information.

Leading trainers and jockeys are notoriously overbet by casual racegoers. Do not be fooled. The horse counts most, not the trainer and jockey, and overbet trainers and jockeys should be steadfastly avoided by informed handicappers.

Information about trainers and jockeys that handicappers most want to know:

1. Weaknesses of leading trainers/jockeys
2. Strengths of minor trainers/jockeys
3. Positive trainer patterns (Return On Investment)
4. Who's "hot" and who's "cold"?

Trainer statistics should cover a two-year baseline. These categories are fundamentally important.

A drop in class and switch to the leading jockey (20% wins) has been a successful trainer pattern at racetracks for years.

Jockey switches should always be evaluated in combination with other significant changes, such as a change of distance or surface, class maneuver, improving form, equipment or medication change.

Apprentice Jockeys can win routes as frequently as they win sprints, but not as much on the grass or in stakes.

Jockey switches should be noticed in these situations:
Journeyman to leading rider
To the "hot" apprentice
To the "stable rider"

"Hot" trainers and jockeys are winning twice as frequently as they normally do. "Cold" trainers and jockeys are winning less than half as often as they normally do.

Low-Percentage Trainers (below 8%) should be abandoned, unless the horse figures best and is offered at generous odds.