A New Bet In Horse Racing?

To stimulate more interest---why not allow a "don't bet" just like at the craps table.
Still be parimutual payoff like betting the "do" win?

I think this would be great for all involved.
Plus to keep it VERY HONEST---no not allow a tote board to be seen on the "don'ts" until after the race has started.

What do you horse players think about this---another betting option?

I think there is something similar in the UK, where you can bet a horse to lose, essentially laying odds. I don't know much more than that.


UK Horseplayers care to confirm or elaborate?

We have read of this type wager already in existence before, but i do not recall where.

Betfair has been doing this for a while now. The main problem is people laying odds for a horse to lose who are closely connected with the horse. In the UK, Betfair alerts the racing officials when it notices betting irregularities in it's exchanages. There are proposals from Betfair to enter the US market and offer the same security triggers. For a sport dealing with enough credidibility issues, allowing bettors the opportunity to lay odds in a pari-mutuel environment is the last thing racing needs.

As far as what offshore places do in regards to US horse wagering, does not concern me at this point. There's plenty of places in the US to wager on horses. But the claim you keep hearing over and over again from the US industry is that they need help. Usually in the form of slot machines. Now I do understand how this draws in the money---but I for one---could never be a slot player--the total monotionus (spelling) nature of that activity would drive me straight to a crazy house.
So for US horse racing, to create more interest why not allow the "Don't win -Don't Place, and Don't show pools" If there is shady activity going on--what better place to expose it. It would not be allowed in all races just as show betting NOW is NOT allowed in all races, due to small field sizes.
Also as race tracks take on more and more of a casino type flavor--why not allow (pari-mutual) wagering on ODD---EVEN winners (Just like roulette). This is not rocket science --but the more items on the menu--the more people will find to play.
I remember when "rolling doubles" was unheard of. Now Delaware Park and a couple of other tracks have that for EACH race.
If the race tracks continue their 1950's way of thinking for wagering available, they miss the boat entirely.