Warm-weather tracks add holiday glow to winter racing season

Many horseplayers take a break during the holidays for good reasons: to focus on family and friends. Life should come first. But here's a hint for you: This is actually a great time of year to play the ponies.

I've always enjoyed wintertime handicapping due to the opening of warm-weather tracks, including Fair Grounds, Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs. Then, of course, Santa Anita opens Dec. 26.

There is nothing like cracking open the Daily Racing Form and trying to decipher winners from full fields of quality horses. There are fewer racetracks operating at this time of year, and many top jockeys and trainers gravitate to these warmer places. All four tracks offer great grass racing, too.

Then on Jan. 1, the first 2012 condition book at Aqueduct will reflect an increased purse structure due to profits from its slot operation. The quality and quantity at the Big A should be shooting upward.

As we close the calendar year, this is also the time to examine how you did on profit or loss. If you are in the red, take a few minutes to assess what you do and how you do it.

For example, when I was in a slump, I tried making more straight bets, daily doubles and exactas. I found myself cashing more often and avoiding long losing streaks. It's not as sexy as catching a pick 5 or a super high 5, but it keeps your bankroll going.

Playing the horses always should be fun first. Remember to keep your betting bankroll separate from your household money. You don't need that added pressure. Most horseplayers realize the number of gamblers who make a living at betting horses is a short list, at best.

Making a horses-to-watch list is a key tool of any regular horseplayer. If you don't have the time, I suggest this service -- horseplayernow.com -- to be a reliable source of trouble-trip horses. As a sample, I'll offer you one of its 5-star plays for today: Mahubo (6-1) in race 10 at Gulfstream.

In that vein, let me offer two horses running this weekend that made my watch list. They are Qatar's Pearl (5-2) today at Hollywood Park and Bet On the Blue (15-1) Saturday at Fair Grounds. Let's get these three horses to the winner's circle.

■ SHADE TREE CHARITY -- The annual Daily Racing Form charity drive for the Shade Tree Shelter is accepting gifts and donations through Dec. 23. The Shade Tree charity offers aid to abused and homeless women and children throughout the valley.

A list of needed items can be viewed at theshadetree.org website. Create good karma for 2012 by donating at the DRF office at 6000 S. Eastern Ave.

Richard Eng's horse racing column is published Friday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com. Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick.