I know than Thoroughbred is 5x the overall sport but after trying for years i just can't get the feel that I do with Harness handicapping. It must be the change of distances,tracks, size of fields and other small things that just make it so hard for me. I also grew up betting harness racing and didn't bet my first Thoroughbred till 7 years later (simulcasting began). Went last nite(otb) and still find myself betting the harness horses, I think with with thoroughbred it is information overload to me, like comparing apples to oranges, just way to complicated to make a confident wager.
I have no evidence to support this but I am under the belief that harness racing's crowd is not nearly as educated or takes the sport as serious as the thoroughbres bettors, causing for less smart money in the pools and adding value. What I am trying to say is you are competeing aganist easier pari-mutel competion.
I feel just the opposite about the education of the crowd. Harness seems to have more serious bettors, while at the thoro's seem to have more recreational bettors.
I have done far better at thoro's over the years. I also absolutely hate watching the horses run 1-2-3-4 in number order all the way around the track. Extremely boring.
I have done far better at thoro's over the years. I also absolutely hate watching the horses run 1-2-3-4 in number order all the way around the track. Extremely boring.
Similarly I grew up with the harness wagering, spent a lot of time at the Big M and at Yonkers.
Nowadays, I don't really have a preference, but I do look for the tracks with the bigger pools & fields. So for the harness, I'll stick with the Meadowlands, Woodbine, etc and with the thoroughbreds it's NYRA, SoCal, Kentucky and Gulfstream.
While I'm more confident that I can cap a $3,000 purse race at Freehold, I'd much rather take a shot into a 10 horse field race at Santa Anita
Nowadays, I don't really have a preference, but I do look for the tracks with the bigger pools & fields. So for the harness, I'll stick with the Meadowlands, Woodbine, etc and with the thoroughbreds it's NYRA, SoCal, Kentucky and Gulfstream.
While I'm more confident that I can cap a $3,000 purse race at Freehold, I'd much rather take a shot into a 10 horse field race at Santa Anita
ice man said:, Little confused are you saying that it is fixed ( i think that is what you mean)
Not all races, particularly the higher stakes races, but many of the smaller purse races and particularly at smaller tracks. How many times have you seen a pacer or trotter be on the lead only to break stride, have to pull out, and be essentially out of the race, only to comeback in the next start and win handily? The drivers scratch each others back and take care of each other.
entire racing is one bid fix scam...
I love racing but unfortunately the races are rigged beyond belief...The drivers are out to cash tix....the jockeys will do whatever the trainer tells them .."Stay out of it ..the horse is a bit sore"...in other words STIFF.....the good harness crooks(Chicago boys) can rob u blind by driving for second with their 2/5 shot....its all a game to them.....I worked as a groom back in the 70's and Carmine Abbatiello just drove the winner who was about 30-1 with 3 minutes to post...then 19-1, then 11-1..then 6-1....wire to wire by 6 lenghths...there was almost a riot....In the locker room Carmine said the horse was under a strangle hold or he would have went 3 seconds faster......the owner was a notorius gambler.won 90kon the race.....I have hundreds of sick stories......by the way if u want a good promo email me..
I love racing but unfortunately the races are rigged beyond belief...The drivers are out to cash tix....the jockeys will do whatever the trainer tells them .."Stay out of it ..the horse is a bit sore"...in other words STIFF.....the good harness crooks(Chicago boys) can rob u blind by driving for second with their 2/5 shot....its all a game to them.....I worked as a groom back in the 70's and Carmine Abbatiello just drove the winner who was about 30-1 with 3 minutes to post...then 19-1, then 11-1..then 6-1....wire to wire by 6 lenghths...there was almost a riot....In the locker room Carmine said the horse was under a strangle hold or he would have went 3 seconds faster......the owner was a notorius gambler.won 90kon the race.....I have hundreds of sick stories......by the way if u want a good promo email me..
I was good friends with Dennis Gingras (local Ny harness trainer)when i was still in NY and spent alot of time with him and Luc Oulette. I never heard them mention anything about fixed races but i did see his brother at the otb on more then 1 occasion betting races where the heavy favorite broke and ran up the track..:hump:
I have known a few peple that own harness horses and I just bought my first one ( hasn't ran yet). Though I know their are some trainers that try to"get the most out of their horses" I have never heard of stiffing a horse. Not saying it don't go on. About 15 years ago their was a huge investigation on some owners/drivers/trainers at a samll harness track here in michigan and most of them got lifetime suspension's. Not sure but i think they have done a better job cleaning this up since than.
