There is nothing wrong with wagering a higher amount on races and horses you feel stand a stronger chance of finishing in the money. But if your top pick does not come through, do not make the mistake of trying to win it all back on another race. Most initial picks are made carefully, using sound handicapping principles. When those picks fail, as they often will, the temptation arises to handicap other races you had already passed over for good reason. If your best picks did not come through, any emergency picks stand an even smaller chance of hitting, so jumping on them often leads to an empty wallet. It is best to focus on the long term and try to win that money back with your best picks on other race days.