Pennsylvania takeout rate

[Cannon Shell]

I have never met Sal DeBrunda. I'm sure when I do he will wish that we hadn't as there is a very large chance that I may wind up telling him what I think of his comments.

[Calzone Lord]

This current Presque Isle Downs meet is an all-time great example of a race meet with the most optimal betting conditons and circumstances a bettor could ever dream of having.

Especially with all the extreme peculiarities involved with the racing surface that greatly favor those who understand it and would totally undermine anyone who doesn't.

My top pick in the paper is 125-for-432 (28.94% wins) with - considering the sample size - a borderline impossible 19.61% profit per every dollar bet.

Even if you remove two top pick winners that paid $65.20 and $76.20 - you're still showing a strong profit.

And the cold exacta stats would be inflated through the roof - partly because the exacta was completed in both instances when the $65.20 and $76.20 horse won.

Because of the weak betting pools on all but Tuesday's - and the high exotic wagering takeout - you can't make a great deal of money no matter how sensational the stats are.

Do that in New York, California, or Kentucky - and you're making incredible money.

I've seen days where a high-action PID race will handle as much or more money on BetFair as will one of the days lowest action races at Saratoga or Del Mar.

It's a sad situation.

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

Do that in New York, California, or Kentucky - and you're making incredible money.

Another classic situation of this in the 8th race at PID today.





* Eye of the Eagle was a soundly beaten 7th at 72-to-1 odds in his last start at this class level. However, anyone who understands this track and watched his last race knows he ran a monster race last out.





Eye of the Eagle wins effortlessly by 6 lengths at 17/1 odds and pays $36.60 to win. The exacta top pick over 3rd pick paid a decent $294.40 -- but with exacta pools of just less than 10K - you can't swing at these here.


Chart: http://www1.drf.com/drfPDFChartRaces...=20110806&RN=8


Worst of all - the pick 4 pool has just $885 bet into it.

Race #5: Top pick winner pays $14.40
Race #6: Four horse field won by Even money shot (Gayego scratched)
Race #7: Five horse field won by 2/1 shot
Race #8: Eye of the Eagle wins

If this was on a tuesday - when you can get 8K in the 50-cent pick 4 pool - you take the whole pool. Instead 3 out of 4 pays $218.20 -- and no one sane plays it.

If you're not in with Betfair or have a way in with a book - it's all a complete joke. This is still a great track to play if you're cool with betting $40 or less a race -- but it's a disgrace that a such quality horse racing product comes to this.

[Cannon Shell]

http://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/...#axzz1UTO5kUpQ