This is one of my favorite angles. A "horse for course" means a horse whose record of racing at a particular track is noticeably outstanding. 

What type of track record (located with the track abbreviation under the money statistics in the Daily Racing Form and Equibase Track Programs)? 

It's Day One of the 1996 meet, Friday, May 10, at little Prairie Meadows near Des Moines, IA, and the second race contains this information:
 

Name	Starts	Wins	Places	Shows
Minnesota Slew	0	0	0	0
Bayberry Boy	6	1	2	1
Super Tax	0	0	0	0
He's a Gourami	0	0	0	0
Hot Hoop	8	2	2	3
Hardpan	2	1	0	0
Rip Snortin'	8	1	3	1
Tom Dmitri	0	0	0	0
Playory	0	0	0	0

Seven of these horses are making their first start off a layoff, including Hot Hoop, Hardpan, and Rip Snortin. Using traditional handicapping factors, it looks like Bayberry Boy peaked in his last race and is moving up to face tougher company. Hot Hoop's workouts are erraticly spaced, although his record at the track is dynamite. Hardpan's workouts are average. But look here! Rip Snortin has a bullet work PLUS a workout from the gate (odd for a 6-year-old), obviously likes the track, is taking a drop in class from his last race, is being ridden by a top jockey, and looks great in the post parade. 

Let's bet Hot Hoop and Rip Snortin both to win. 

The opening night crowd makes Tom Dmitri the 8-5 favorite. Rip Snortin circles the field to win, paying $42.80! 

Horses for Courses is not a factor that calls for an automatic bet, but used with some common sense, can separate close contenders and sometimes set up remarkable, "Rip Snortin" payoffs!