We had an interesting email from one of our readers regarding some suspicious late money and low payoffs in some pools. So we here at GT have done some research in attempting to answer John Fekett’s question.
From my view, it has become very uncomfortable for us everyday horse bettors who make a bet on a horse that is 3/1 with less than a minute to post only to see the odds drop to 5/2 when the gate opens and then 2/1 on the last flash.
There was a race at Delaware Park in question and here is how it went according to the tote security at Delaware.
It was the 4th race at Delaware on July 12. There was an exacta bet placed on a part wheel for $1,000 purchased at 2:46.17 p.m., Eastern time, keying No. 1 with 2-3-4-5-6 for a total of $5,000. The video feed from Delaware Park shows that the race broke from the gates at 2:46.31 p.m.
The pool was final in the Delaware host tote at 2:46.54. There was a horse in this race that did not break from the gate, which led to an investigation that may still be ongoing but so far offering no evidence of any wrong doing.
So how does this happen? There are a few (and I mean a very few) huge bettors with huge big bucks who have a computer system that is hooked right into the pari-mutuel system. They have what is called among the wise guys a “robot” or “robo” that finds plays and places them at the last second directly into the pools thus changing the odds.
Most of the money these robots place goes into the pools after the horses have left the gate – even though the money was placed before the race went off. It may have been seconds as it usually is. The bets look like they go in after the race but not so.
These big bettors are pouring millions into the pools and that is why they let them hook in. It is not good for us little guys just trying to catch an $8 winner, but it is profitable for the tracks. For them it is not about us, but their bottom line in trying to stay afloat.
Thanks for the email. If anyone has more to add please email [email protected]
Jerry’s a success
Now to some good things in horse racing, we had a great time at our seminar this past Saturday at Jerry’s Nugget. The place was jam packed with some of the friendliest horse players you ever want to meet and some of the most knowledgeable.
Mark Dufty put on a great show and his contest was a huge success, though not for my pocket. We had a tough time with all the chalk, but all was good, especially the carved sandwiches.
Rich Rose got one wrapped to go as I was leaving. Rose said he was going to deliver it to Ralph (Siraco), but I will lay you a dime to a dollar Ralph never got a whiff of that beautiful carved turkey sandwich. Mark is looking to do another seminar in the near future. We’ll keep you posted.
Baseball pitches:
The second half of the season is in full swing with the Pirates and Reds in a ding dong battle royal in the NL Central with the Cards lurking. What a race! Cincy is going on what looks to be a very easy road trip to Houston and then to Colorado. Advantage Reds.
Have the Yanks come back to the pack? As advertised here in this column, the Tigers will win the AL Central.
As for the NFL, preseason games start Sunday Aug. 5. I will be making picks on some key games.