subject: Handicapper [print this page] The atmosphere of the racetrack would be a lot less tense without handicappers, but it would also be a lot less fun. Handicappers work to ensure that horses competing against each other have similar chances of winning, and that makes for a close and exciting race. By analyzing records of the horses' workouts, past performances, age, sex, distances of races won, and winnings, handicappers assign handicap weights to entrants and decide which horses will run in a race. They meet with racetrack management individuals to schedule different types of races and determine the purse for each one.
In addition to making these crucial decisions, handicappers also review applications for horses to train and race at the track, and they accept application and entrance fees from owners. They also record data regarding horses, such as racing results, persons financially tied to the horses, and changes in ownership. Handicappers supervise the work of employees performing various activities at the track, and review the racing information scheduled for publication in various media. They may also observe horses to assess their abilities and verify assignment of handicap weights and selection of entrants.
This sounds like an awful lot for one person to do, and it is. In order to succeed at this job, handicappers must be extremely organized and meticulous in recording and accessing data, and they must have superior analytical skills to assimilate a great deal of information and make sound, informed decisions. Supervisory and communication skills also figure prominently in this role, as does a good deal of discretion in negotiating the various and competing interests of horse owners.
Pros
Daily contact with horses
Direct influence in determining type, schedule, purse, entrants, and handicaps of races
Cons
High level of mandatory experience and expertise
Need to cope with various and competing interests of owners
