Basic Action: The show wager is a bet that appeals to a lot of players who are new to racing and looking to minimize their initial risk. When you bet to show, you win if the horse you bet on finishes first, second OR third. Show payouts are significantly lower than those for win bets and sometimes much lower than place bets. I call the show bet, "horse racing's version of insurance" and it's a fun way to get "action" in a race, without needing the horse you select to finish first or even second.

A horse parades in the paddock before a maiden race at Delaware Park. (All photos by Eclipse Sportswire)

One of the enduring puzzles for handicappers at the racetrack is how to assess horses who have never raced before, or “first-time starters.” Most handicappers live and die by their ability to divine how a horse will perform based on past performance. With first time starters, there are no past performances to judge. How, then, should we play races with one or more horses making their debut on the racetrack?