I feel everyone has their own way and they all have value to the user. Basic step is finding the speed, pace and closers. Must imagine how you feel the race sets up. Best horse doesn't always win. Lone closer in a race filled with speed, or a horse that cannot be caught. Every race is different. Find tracks you feel good about and learn trends with jocks-trainers. Study as much as possible. I always felt it was best to handicap a few hrs. the day before and pray for no rain. Equibase virtaul stable is a nice way to track play backs. Even if your just watching a race and see a horse make a great run but may encounter a bad trip but you feel the horse had a real chance. Add him in your stable with comments and wait for a possible play when the horse runs back. They e-mail you workouts and when the horse is running again for free. It has paid dividends for me. Equibase.com free sign-up. Plus we all need alittle racing luck.