7/23 (SAR): Coaching Club American Oaks (G1)

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

The average field size in 1965 was 8.59 and in 2009 was 8.24, hardly a major difference.

But, because of all the great advances in exotic wagering - the need for larger field size has to become way more important now - than in the 1960's.

The early 60's - you're looking at win-place-show betting and just two Daily Doubles a day - with a 10-to-14% takeout depending on the track.

Now you're looking at W-P-S takeouts ranging from 15.5% in So. Cal to 20% at Turf Paradise. So - the exotic menu has to come through to make the race playable.

The trifecta at New York tracks is 26% takeout -- the daily double in Cal is 23% - so, bigger fields become so much more important now. I never read much about field size in the old days. Gamblers didn't seem to complain that much about it.