Everyone needs a little brush-up from time to time. It is only those who are mad at their money, who make no attempt to sharpen their skills. Here are a couple reminders to add to your checklist:

1. Take a look at horses dropping in class. This can be an effective way to gauge value. The better runners, and those fresh off a claim climbing the ladder, should be on your radar screen. Also, take a second look at cheaper claimers making a drop in class. Usually the lesser runners are looking for a softer spot to score. Dropping can be a positive, but can also be a negative note depending on the class level. You can find this on your WinningPonies.com selection form. Have your eyes peeled for this move.

2. Pay attention to the jockey and trainer stats. They say the numbers don’t lie, and over 1/3 of the races are won by the top ten trainers at a meet. This info is worth its weight in gold, and to have a hot hand in the irons for a solid barn, can be a direct line to the windows to cash in big.

3. Workouts: The quick ones; long ones; recent works; all merit a long look. All athletes play as they have been practicing. That last gallop could add a little more gas in the tank, and a runner may be prepping for that big race, and need a long work to get that extra wind in a sprint.

All of these factors can be found on WinningPonies.com, and are flakes of gold. So polish up your game from time to time. Utilize your data to the fullest and always look for the fresh approach. It is the mark of the improving player.