The CAWs may have an advantage, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t win.
In a past episode of All Horse Racing All the Time titled “Horse Racing: Beating Computer Assisted Wagering,” the show tackled the growing anxiety around Computer Assisted Wagering and laid out a path for everyday bettors to stay competitive.
The point of the episode is clear: Regular bettors can still win — if they adjust, sharpen their skills, and pick their spots.
What CAW Is and Why It Feels Unbeatable
The episode opens by explaining CAW in plain terms. These are groups of whales with powerful software that allows them to unload huge wagers moments before the pools close. That, the host explained, is why odds today shift after the horses leave the gate.
He described these groups as armed with “tons of information” and systems built by computer and racing experts. Still, he pushed back against the idea that they are invincible. “Just like in chess, the best computers will usually fail when a human really knows what they are doing,” he said.
“In horse racing that is never more true.”
An Inside Look: A Friend in a CAW Operation
One of the most eye-catching details is the host’s reference to a personal connection inside a Las Vegas CAW team. His friend designs CAW software and provides insight into how these algorithms operate. That perspective, he said, has helped him understand their tendencies and weaknesses.
According to the host, the takeaway is not fear — but strategy.
The Big Viewer Question: How Do You Find Value?
A frustrated viewer asked what many everyday horseplayers want to know:
How do you find value when you do not know the final odds until the race has already started?
The host called it a legitimate challenge but said the answer starts with being a skilled handicapper. He urged players to use the best information available and to combine multiple sources to build stronger opinions.
His recommended toolkit included:
- Thorograph
- Ragozin sheets
- Brisnet and Beyer figures
- Replay study
- Trainer and jockey patterns
- Track biases and surface knowledge
“Use top data and use multiple sources,” he said. “The more you know, the more you can spot angles the CAW teams are not on.”
Examples That Show CAW Isn’t Everywhere
To reinforce his point, the host cited several recent payouts produced by his own handicapping. Among them:
- A Dubai race that delivered an exacta over one hundred dollars and a trifecta over one thousand from his top three selections.
- A 26-1 long shot at Oaklawn Park uncovered by analyzing a buried dry-track speed race. That pick resulted in an exacta payout of more than eight hundred dollars.
“These are not races the computer assisted wagering players were on,” he said. “You never would have gotten those prices.”
CAWs Aren’t Going Away, So Adjust Instead of Panicking
The host reminded viewers that CAW players represent a small number of participants but control a large portion of the money in wagering pools. He emphasized that bettors should accept that CAWs are part of modern racing and will not disappear without regulatory change.
His advice:
- Do not try to bet every race
- Look for softer spots where CAW teams are less active
- Trust your strongest angles
- Keep learning because racing conditions evolve constantly
- Talk with knowledgeable players and develop reliable sources
“Computer assisted wagering is part of the game,” he said. “But so are you.”
You Can Still Win in the CAW Era
The episode closes on a hopeful note. The host urged bettors to stay confident, continue improving, and avoid viewing CAW as an unbeatable force. “You can still win,” he said. “Fear not.”
Until the rules change, his message suggests, skill, strategy, and selective play are the best tools horseplayers still have.
Follow him on X at @Liveracingshow.
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