- 07:46 PM
- 11/23/24
I knew a guy(former neighbor) who used a somewhat similar formula. He used to bet $1000 minimum on a favorite from the rail at the old Roosevelt Raceway. It seems they had a rubberized track that favored inside horses with good early speed. The bet paid the minimum(in those days) of $2.20. It doesn't add up to much, but he did it so successfully and often, he made enough money to put a downpayment on a NYC Taxi medallion, which, when he died, was worth over $75,000. He told me he never lost in a ten year period, which I found hard to believe, until he had me place bets for him(pre-OTB days), and he never lost! I must have done it a 100 times. It was part of the hook that got me into the game, which wound up 30 years later as an owner of standardbreds(see my previous posting).
posted by PALDOR2 at 11:02 AM on March 16, 2005
As a former owner of standardbreds(trotters), I couldn't agree with Mr Mullin's comments more. If you've ever been on the "backstretch", you realize that if you don't have a real vested interest into the outcome of a race, you don't have a prayer. Most every race is predermined based on financial need, favors or vendettas. It's the main reason why I got of the game nearly 5 years ago. Fortunately, there are some exceptions to this "rule" like major stakes races or pre-race detention barns(to prevent "tampering" with the horses). It really is a shame, because the beauty, speed aand finesse of these animals and their drivers is really breathtaking. I've sat behind many of my own horses and just going at half speed is hair-raising.
posted by PALDOR2 at 04:06 PM on March 15, 2005
Trainer quoted as saying that anyone who bets on horses is "an addict or an idiot"
the red terror- kudos to you my friend. I do the same at the Meadowlands. I too no longer bring the "wad", but on a few days of the year(Hanbletonian,etc.) I just enjoy the beauty of the sport, have a drink or two and if I lose a hundred, it's pretty much a bargain.