Late Betting

[Ken Massa]

Today (Nov 23) at HAW, race 5, #1 horse at 30/1 ML, was at 18/1 on the board when the gates opened. This nice FR1 play won wire to wire. But after the horses hit the finish line, the odds on the winner suddenly plummeted to 11/1 and it paid just $25 to win.

The above is a good example that life at the track is 'business as usual'. While there has been a ton of pontificating in the press by racing writers, track owners and the NTRA, apparently little action has taken place. I am able to bet with 0 minutes to post on all races on YOUBET, and some of my bets were clicked in while the last few horses were loading in the gate - even though there is 20 second delay. Big odds changes are still happening after the races goes off.

Maybe I haven't been betting the right tracks - I'm wondering if anyone has noticed real changes so far to prevent the unusual late wagering action. Methink this is the critical test for the NTRA as a worthwhile body of influence. If the tracks fragment again and cannot agree on something as important as this, then the emperor (NTRA) has no clothes.

[tbrown]

I think Sadaam Hussein will turn over Osama Bin Hidin along with his nukes long before NTRA does anything wothwhile.
sigh........

[Rick]

I can remember a few years ago that you stood just as much chance for the odds to go up as down after the race was off.

I have no problem with them allowing betting up to the second the gates open.

My problem is that lately the odds appear to go down after the races have been run like some one is getting bets in after the race is run or something.

Some one needs to do a serious, honest audit of the system and plug all the holes.

[Cliff]

Personally, I think there are some shennanigans (sp?) going on.....it's big money and it's not just in the win pools.

11/23,Sunland Park, Race 6- Had made a note to watch the 7 horse and it's payout. Figured the race might have a sizable exacta if the 7 won. It did win......dropped from 20/1 down to 8/1, not sure of the timing on the odds drop. Paid 18.40 to win, the place horse paid 10.60, the exacta paid 66.70. Seems like the exacta should have paid more.

I'm not convinced they can't produce instantaneous odds either. If the gas pump can charge my credit card before I can get the gas cap back on.............

[tomcat]

Churchill Downs has started a policy of closing the windows when the horses get to the gates. They make a big deal about it with many announcements. Everyone here seems to think it is a good thing. I think Churchill will extend this to the tracks thats Churchill controls.
Canada has refused offering wagering on P4's and P6's.

The problem is not NTRA's, they have no power to make anyone do anything.

There seems to be a lot of hand wringing, making statements, and attempted concerns. But you may be right Ken, in the end, I think they hope it just goes away. I have read recently there has been a decline in wagering overall.

Autotote stock is still in the dumps.