BETTING SYSTEMS

During Breeders’ Cup week, The Times takes a look at the many betting systems used in horse racing:

Who: Bob Ike, handicapper for Los Angeles Newspaper Group.

System: Using video and past performance.

The scoop: It’s easy to identify Ike in the press box at Santa Anita. He’s the one holding a remote control while staring at the television set and watching video of past races. He tries to pick up hints how a horse might perform in his next race through video. As for seeing European horses set to run in this weekend’s Breeders’ Cup, he’ll be going to Breederscup360.com and YouTube.com. California horses can be seen via Calracing.com. “It would be like reading a baseball box score without watching the game,” Ike said of relying strictly on statistics.

Validity: Ike tied for first place among local handicappers at the Del Mar summer meeting.

-- Eric Sondheimer