From ROUSED's post to GREYHOUND's....WOW. But you know what, they are both spot-on!
I would advise that you don't let it consume you; you specifically hinted at being able to "hit and run" and not wait out hours like other sports....Whether you're at a track, or at home, it's just like slots at a Casino: don't hit on one, quickly find another, and so on.
Be prepared to do a lot of hard work, or "handicapping", only to be disappointed. Expect depressing feelings, after the constant ups-and-downs. And most importantly, remember that "next time" isn't an excuse or better reason to go back and bet it. In most cases, you're chasing (a typical gambling term) and not betting a horse "that should do better" this time. While it's nice to be knowledgeable about a horse, how many times will you chase it to a win? **Obviously not talking about a huge stakes winner that will command short odds; people always look for the value, or combination bets to make money**
But rather than rant on much longer, let me just hit some points with the two posters from earlier:
ROUSED- His point was replays. The closer YOU are to the LIVE race, the better. Yeah, you can watch a simulcasted race, but they only show so much after the horse crosses the line. Some tracks even tend to zoom-in on the leader(s) after the last pole/marker down the stretch....so you can't see who's shadow that is coming. It matters because it shows an extra-effort on the horse's performance, that the racing sheet will just say 4th by 3 1/4 lengths. Seeing is believing. Even a 99/1 long shot, who looked like an obvious toss-out, will have something to show. If he was WAYYY in the back, was he breathing heavily when the jock brought him back...or was he just out there galloping cause he wasn't going to win today? Does the jockey say a lot to the trainer or handler(s) when he gets back, or just jump off the horse and go weigh in? The books never tell you any of that...
GREYHOUND- Love that this guy/gal took the stance. As I said, my whole gambling "life" came from this sport. I have seen enough races, and for whatever reason still find myself saying "how the EFF did THAT guy win/lose" Naturally, horses will get tired on the front, or not have enough room to close, or yada yada yada.... that happens. But the other cases (which have been documented many times over) where drugs and mishandling come into play, is the thing most bettors don't have the inside info on. And while it may be at smaller tracks, or by some trainer you don't follow...ask yourself if you've ever placed at bet at any of those tracks, or with any of the connections? Are you sure you know each trainer's assistants, and which tracks they are at?
My own personal example hits on both points from above. While it's critical to know all that you can on a horse/race, you'll never be 100% informed...and that is an obstacle to winning longterm.
A few years back, I had the cable channel TVG. I used to love it because of the cute ladies, and the interviews they got at the track. One afternoon, Christina was interviewing Joe Talamo (I believe) in the paddock about his mount (some stakes winner coming off a layoff, back to easy company, and the big favorite). The jock tells her that the TRAINER's instructions were to "NOT GO TO THE WHIP" if the horse showed tiredness. So wouldn't you know that the horse is like 4/5, leading at the top of the stretch....and then just has everyone pass him by. After hearing that, I just decided to watch and pass my bet...but imagine people who didn't have the channel, or were there live, or who didn't know the Trainer, and watch this huge favorite WILLINGLY drop back and not try. It's not like the Racing form said "will not use whip today" or "refund if horse doesn't _____". It may have only been one instance, but it was at one of California's most classiest tracks, and with a well-known horse.... If you have the channel already, or would pay for the upgrade, maybe you should watch it for a bit to see what things they look at, and voice, during the races. SORRY FOR THE LONG-AZZ POST