The better the race track and trainers, the more confidence we can have in the reliability of the racing form’s past performances.  This gives us more confidence we can foresee the outcome of the race.  The top trainers play to win.  They train the best and most expensive racehorses in the country, and they don’t mess around.  Trainers like Kiaran McLaughlin (won the $6 million Dubai World Cup with Invasor on March 31, 2007), Todd Pletcher, Barclay Tagg, Doug O’Neil, Bobby Frankel, Nick Zito, Gary Contessa, Richard Dutrow, Morris Nicks, William Mott, Allen Jerkens, Steve Asmussen, Anthony Dutrow, Dale Romans, Helen Pitts, Jerry Hollendorfer, Eddie Kenneally (won the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen with Kelly’s Landing on March 31, 2007), Kenneth McPeek, John Kimmel, Michael Matz, David Hofmans, Julio Canani, Eoin Harty, and Bob Baffert are among the best money winners in the U.S.  More often than not they will get the best out of a horse.  It may take a few races to get there, but count on it, these guys play to win.  They don’t waste time on horses that cannot win.  And they don’t waste time on jockeys that cannot ride.  But there are several great riders working.  The best jockeys these days include Garrett Gomez, J. R. Velazquez, Victor Espinoza, Robbie Albarado, Edgar Prado, Jeremy Rose, Russell Baze, Julien Leparoux, Corey Nakatani, Eibar Coa, Rafael Bejarano, Daniel Centeno, Miguel Mena, Jose Lezcano, David Flores, Cornelio Velasquez, Ramon Dominguez, and the up and coming Joseph Talamo. 

The top U.S. tracks include Saratoga, Belmont, Keeneland, Gulfstream Park, Arlington Park, Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, Del Mar, Aqueduct, Oaklawn Park, and Churchill Downs.  In Canada, Woodbine is the best thoroughbred race track.  Other very significant American tracks are Hawthorne, Turfway Park, Lone Star Park, Delaware Park, Tampa Bay Downs, Ellis Park, Kentucky Downs, Laurel, Pimlico, Philadelphia Park, Monmouth (host of the 2007 Breeders’ Cup), Fair Grounds, Bay Meadows, Golden Gate, Meadowlands, Delta Downs, and Calder.