Handicapping is not all speed and pace figures. Nor statistics in general.
It's helpful to look at a horse in the paddock or post parade before you wager. I haven't been doing that as often as I should even though many times I joke: "I want to see if he has four legs."
You don't have to be an excellent judge of horse flesh to spot positive signs such as your selection looks perky or bouncy and exhibits aggressive but controllable behavior while warming up.
Also good: a fluid transition from a walking gait to a gallop and a well-groomed shiny coat.
Negative signs include excessive kidney sweat between the flanks and, on cool days, heavy sweating in the paddock or post parade.
Also bad: fractious, uncontrollable behavior and a dull coat that doesn't reflect light on a sunny day.
Sometimes a horse just stands out -- the best-looking in the field. Take notice.
And sometimes a horse appears to warm up well.
I recall a race at Hialeah Park when only one in the field was getting the feel of the track while the others just lumbered toward the starting gate.
I mentioned it to a friend.
"Get on him," he said.
I did.
The horse, whose name I can't remember, paid $50 to win.
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