I had a lot of fun last year looking at some data surrounding what produces a so-called “cap” horse at the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s National Handicapping Championship, so why not run it back this year?
One type of horse most @NTRA #NHC19 players will be trying to land is the #caphorse, which scores the maximum 64 points ($42 to win + $22 to place). Here is a thread with applicable statistics. pic.twitter.com/m3sFTcuAZN
— Ed DeRosa (@EJXD2) February 5, 2019
The above Tweet (click on the date to open in new window) launches a Twitter thread that includes all sorts of stats about how certain variables do with 20-to-1 or better horses (you can’t have a cap horse without at least a 20-to-1 winner) as well as raw numbers on what produces the most cap horses (20-to-1 winner AND at least $22 to place).
The below image includes all 25 cap horses (winners who paid at least $42 to win *AND* at least $22 to place) at the 8 contest tracks in 2019:
As you can see, there is a heavy, heavy, heavy maiden claimer influence and not a single stakes race.
Florida tracks on the turf seems like the way to go.