The NY Times travel writer used to sub for the regular writer on rainy days at Aqueduct and Belmont.
He always bet on the longshot and 2nd-longshot in each 9-race card ($18 total).
It was uncanny how often those horses won.
One of my favorite bets is to avoid one of the two favored horses then take the other and make boxed exactas (1-2, 2-1) ($2 boxed exacta costs $4) of other horses and boxed trifectas (1-2-3, 2-3-1, 3-2-1, 2-1-3, 1-3-2, 3-1-2). A $2 boxed trifecta costs $12. A $1 boxed trifecta costs $6.
Watch out for the leading jockey and 2nd-leading jockey riding long shots.
Mostly, have fun and enjoy the sunshine and the horses.
Copied and pasted your post for future reference also :)
Getting excited about this.
My life needed some excitement!
Never did in younger years :(
Off to the races!!