BC Racebook January Newsletter
A New Era of Value: BC Racebook Lowers Takeout Across the Province
If you’ve been scanning the monitors at the racebook or checking your HPIbet account lately, you might have noticed the payouts are looking a little bit "juicier. "We have some great news to share: to kick off 2026, we’ve officially lowered the takeout rates on many pools for US racetracks.
Why the Change? We know that the horseplayer is the lifeblood of our industry. To show our appreciation for your dedication, we wanted to ensure that BC offers some of the most competitive pricing in the game. Reducing the takeout means more money stays in the betting cycle and more profit goes back to the winners.
Consistent Value Everywhere Whether you’re a regular at our teletheatres or a digital specialist on HPIbet.com, you’re getting the same deal. These reductions are broad and cover a massive range of wagering options, ensuring that no matter how you like to play, you’re getting more "bang for your buck" starting right now.
Our Commitment to You This move is part of our ongoing effort to provide more value and excitement for our fans. We’re grateful for every bet you place and every afternoon you spend with us. Horse racing is at its best when the players have a fair shake, and these new rates are our way of saying thank you.
Next time you’re handicapping the card, take a closer look at the pools. The value is there, the excitement is building, and we can’t wait to see you at the windows!
Visit BCRacebook.com to find your nearest location or log in to HPIbet to see the new rates in action.
Racing Tips for Aqueduct & Gulfstream This Saturday!
The Digital Paddock: Why AI is a Game-Changer in Horse Racing
by Dawn Lupul
For years, figuring out horse racing handicapping was a labour of love. Endless hours were spent squinting at the past performances, scrawling in margins, and trying to figure out how a muddy track impacts a jockey's win percentage. But now that we’re in 2026, the "gut feeling" approach is giving way to a new era powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Using AI to wager on horses isn't just about speeding up calculations; it's about uncovering insights that humans can't see. Here are some ways AI is shaking things up in the betting world.
1. Tackling the "Un-processable"
Every horse race comes with tons of variables. It’s not just about the horse’s speed; you also have to think about the track surface (dirt or turf), moisture levels, wind speed and direction, the connection between jockey and trainer, and even the horse’s pedigree.
While a regular handicapper might keep track of five or six factors, AI models, especially Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), can sift through millions of data points in seconds. These models figure out "non-linear" connections; for instance, they might discover that a specific horse performs 12% better when the temperature is over 24°C, the pace is expected to be super fast, and they have an inside post.
2. Spotting "Value," Not Just Winners
What is the biggest pitfall for amateur bettors? Betting on the horse they think will win. Pros know it’s all about Expected Value (EV).
AI doesn’t just pick winners; it gives each horse in the race a probability. So, if an AI model calculates a horse has a 25% chance of winning, the right odds should be 3-1. But if the public is betting that horse at 5-1, that’s a "value play." By consistently betting on horses where the odds don’t match the actual probabilities, bettors can achieve long-term profits that manual handicapping usually can’t touch.
3. Kicking the "Gambler’s Fallacy" to the Curb
People often have biases. We might hype up a "hot" jockey or refuse to bet on a horse because it let us down last time. These emotional hang-ups can mess with our judgment.
AI, on the other hand, doesn’t care about horse names or a trainer’s charming personality. It treats every race like its own data set, applying the same logical approach to a Thursday afternoon claimer as it does to the Kentucky Derby. This level of consistency means your strategy won't fall apart after a couple of losing bets.
4. Adapting on the Fly
Just before a race, conditions can change fast. A surprise rain shower can turn a fast track into a sloppy mess, or a late scratch can change the whole pace dynamic. Modern AI tools can pick up real-time data and update their win odds instantly. While everyone else is scrambling to adjust, the AI bettor is already on top of a new game plan.
Love it or hate it, the aim of using AI isn’t meant to strip the excitement out of racing. It can give us a clearer look while being devoid of emotions and accounting for multiple analytical factors quickly. By mixing the sport's rich tradition with cutting-edge machine learning, bettors are realizing that finding the "perfect pick" is more of a calculation than a guess. Technology can help us see the trees for the forest, and to make some cash in the process.
