Mule Racing

[jetcity]

Was that Tomcat OR Tommy C who made the $ 185000 show bet???

jetcity

Seattle Times 7/ 10/ 2001
Sideline Chatter
Racing mule still has one mean kick

Just because Cal Ripken Jr. is slowing down doesn't mean Black Ruby has to.

The Secretariat of mules added a track record and her 41st career victory Sunday, winning the Pleasanton Mule Championship at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, Calif. Black Ruby broke her own track record, clocking 23.661 seconds to win the 400-yard race by a nose, extended her winning streak to 12 and collected $5,575 to push her career earnings to a record $143,203.

"She was sharp," winning jockey Jim Burns told the Contra Costa Times' Chuck Dybdal. "She had to run a little today. Fancy (who broke from the rail beside Black Ruby) left there so fast, but as soon as she saw her in front, she went right to the lead. After we went by the paddock, she was kind of pricking her ears looking around, and I saw Taz moving up. I hit her twice, and she took off."

Taz, who is to Black Ruby what Joe Frazier was to Muhammad Ali, finished second, making it the 25th time the two rivals have finished 1-2 in a race. The 9-year-old Black Ruby, who has finished in the money in 60 of 65 career races, owns a 21-11 record in their rivalry.

Danny Boag, Taz's jockey, said his ride was hauling hinny, "But when (Taz) moved up on her, she just took off."

Is Black Ruby the biggest lock in sports today? You bet your mule she is. One high roller plunked down a $185,000 show bet on the Rubester from Santa Anita, creating a minus-$42,146.06 payoff in Sunday's show pool, all for a steed that paid just $2.20, $2.10 and $2.10.

But with another race in the bank, it's back to the ranch near Healdsburg, Calif., where racing's crown jewel is just another mule.

"We treat her no differently than an ordinary animal," said co-owner Sonny McPherson. "We just throw her out in a pasture with several other mules. She's different, though. She's a loner. She'll run until she's completely lathered up.

"When we put feed out, she's always the first one there."

Well, duh.

[hurrikane]

man...this guy risks 185000 for a 9k profit. Gutsy move

[Glen]

Good Story,

[Don H]

I remember a time, I think it was early 60s, when a friend I were at Randall Park in Cleveland and after the races he wanted to go to Northfield Park (trotters) for the night races. We were in the clubhouse and I ran into a fellow from my hometown that owned a clothing store. It was after a race that a 1-5 shot had just won. He said he had the winner and he was just beaming all over about it. He showed me his ticket and it was $2 to show on it. Goes to show what cashing a ticket does to ya. Guess he figured he got 10% return.......more than the bank gives to you. From what other people told me that was the way he bets. Good thing gas was only $.30 a gallon back then.

True Story
Don

[jetcity]

I have actually developed a strategy if I ever run into this situation. IMHO the only bet to make is pick a couple of shots in the race and bet them to show. Put $2 to show on the next 5 odds ( or next 5 PSCAN) in the race and if the favorite runs out you could be looking at $50 - $ 120 show prices. Do not bet to place as all the action is in the show pool


jetcity

[George]

Jetcity.....in another thread I recently mentioned the phenomena you are talking about. Have seen 4 of those this year where the 1-5 horse runs out. Have cashed some amazing show tickets.

Think playing against every 1-5 to 3-5 horse would not be profitable long term. I have just done it whenever I notice one and then have gotten lucky.
Might be worth some db checking to see if they can be predicted. Suspect run-outs don't occur very often on those kind of favorites.

[jetcity]

In another life (1960) we use to play $ 25 if place parleys. If the # 6 placed in the 7th race we would place all the proceeds on the # 5 in the 4th race. Remember my buddy had a $ 25 p on Don Piago ?? (4-5) or so at the old AUQ) a top grass horse to place. The horse ran a bit and stopped. I read in the form a week later that the horse had a blockage and hadn't taken a leak for several days b4 the race. Ever since I will put them in my TRI's but will not risk the ranch on a 4-5.

Now MULE racing is something else. HEE HAW. I wouldn't put $ 185 to show on a MULE in a 3 horse race.

Jetcity