By Mike Benitez

At some point every handicapper faces a challenge where they must take on their own thoughts and attitudes.

Currently, there is a very popular DVD and book out called, The Secret. It explains about the laws of attraction and how our thoughts, whether positive or negative, attract like thoughts. The Secret was recently featured on the Oprah Winfrey show and has been selling off the shelves.

Allow me to relate an experience I had when on track at Santa Anita with a friend who was attending the races only for the third time in his life. It was the third race and I was busy watching the pre-race warm ups when a tout came over and starting telling my friend how he got a hot tip and that this low level barn was going to make a score today. The horse was a physicality wreck (as are most from low profile barns) and the "good thing" finished up the track. Of course after the race you couldn't find the tout.

On the drive home my friend asked me about the situation and said the tout seemed so sure. I paused for a moment and told him that I tune those guys out and when it comes to a race that I really like-I must focus on the positive and remove the negative. He then asked me what were my methods?

I explained to him that it took me a long time in the experience arena to recognize the beast of negativity and doubt.

I related a story of another friend, that I'll call "T". He is the epitome of negativity and doubt and self destructs because he literally invites disaster by his statements.  The "beast" is his partner in all of his wagers. He knows everyone at the track and he actively seeks out their opinions. When he wagers on a pick three or four and gets through the first two or three legs victorious he'll then proclaim, "I never win, it's always the same, I bag the opening legs and can have nine of ten runners in the last leg and still lose!" Guess what happens? He loses!

I told my friend that you must first understand yourself, meaning your strengths and weaknesses in handicapping.

For instance, my weakest handicapping comes in turf sprints yet I tend to have better success in the turf routes. When paper handicapping the day before, I'm aware of my current mindset and if I'm in the "winning zone". When in the "zone" there are races for which I get a good feel because I know I'm going to have a nice and successful day.

When that's the case, I must absolutely tune out all touts. I don't listen to the radio or television shows where touting is their main objective. I don't want any influence to sway me-I have the ability to weigh all the factors and don't need to have my selection elevated by another as a confidence builder.

I only do one final thing before leaving for the track.  

I find a quiet place and visualize the race unfolding just like I've handicapped it. But it is more than just visualizing it. I feel the emotion of making the score. I'm hitting the trifecta or superfecta with my top key horse leading the way. I feel the adrenaline rush because I called the shot. I visualize the mutuel teller peeling off those $100 bills.

All winners and champions want the opportunity to have the final outcome of the game on their shoulders. This is the moment that I've been waiting for and it's not the time for any negativity or doubt. Before I arrive at the track with an intended play or two, I've already slayed the "beast"!

Once on track, I relax and have fun.

When my race approaches I'm focused on my race and horse. The horse I'm planning to bet must meet the requirements, or I bail out of the intended play. The requirements are the physicality issues, the pre-race warm ups, final odds and any superstitutious nuances (how are the connections dressed if they are present, etc...). I remain positive throughout even when I must abandon my plan. I don't press because I play this game professionally and there is always another day and opportunity.

Are there times when negativity and doubt arise?

Yes there are!

It's usually when "my horse" looks adequate but not exciting. Or the pre-race warm up wasn't up to par, but compared to the other entrants it was adequate. Maybe it's a Stakes race and the trainer always dresses up or a certain owner is always present.  Yet today, it's somehow different even when the horse and his pre-race warm up meet my criteria. Perhaps my horse is ice cold on the tote board.  Or maybe he's bet down so low that I refuse to take that risk to reward ratio because many handicappers approached the race in the same manner.

You get the point. Your thoughts are second guessing you. Now doubt and negativity have taken hold. That is when I must draw on previous lessons and the lessons of my mentors. It does no harm to pass a race as it costs you nothing. It can save you from making a bad bet and "saving" a bad bet is the same as cashing an even money winner.

So I acknowledge the inner voice and thoughts and just say, "Thank you." I may curse briefly when the race unfolds as I envisioned it, but I realize that I made the right call and congratulate myself for a good handicapping job.

In conclusion, the laws of attraction are real so it is best to avoid the touts and slay the "beast" of negativity and doubt!

You've been a winner many times in the past!
 
Before you place your next bet, picture yourself making the "score" and feeling that winning emotion!

It works!