What do u guys think of this

[melman]

I found this article very interesting. Would like to get the views of others.
Was amazed that the contest "Breeders Cup betting challenge" accounted for 10% of the Breeders Cup total handle. Also Keith Chamblin of NYRA had some very interesting stats.

http://xwebapp.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/templates/hoofbeats_blog.aspx?articleid=57019&zoneid=56

[HPFridays]

I believe the author has incorrect data as far as handle goes. While $2.2 million is very impressive handle from the contestants it's not anywhere near 10% of the total Breeders' Cup handle. Maybe he is referring to on track handle?

[pondman]

"warned that they will not play unless they can lock in their odds."



Most single day contests don't meet the long term needs of a number of profitable players. You get forced into plays that you probably wouldn't make in the long term. Unless there are a number of qualifying rounds, and semi-finals, it's probably not going to draw the most profitable players.

“People don’t know how the best bettors are betting. We need leaders. We need people who call their shots.”


This just isn't going to happen. Profitable players might be willing to give hints as to their pick. But they're not going to give data behind it.

You'd really have to be a specialist to be staking $10,000 on the Breeders cup. My own play this year was -$600 on 2 bets, so it not something I see myself doing anytime soon.

[DJofSD]

They show hole cards for the poker tournaments. Do the same for betting the races where you get to see what and how the participants in a contest are laying out their wagers.

[melman]

First up was Keith Chamblin, senior VP of marketing and industry communications for the New York Racing Association. He showed a survey completed by participants in the National Handicapping Contest and the results were eye-opening.

Chamblin said the participants were 95 percent male, with an average age of 52. Sounded like the group that I said we should aggressively pursue in a blog a few years ago.

He added that when those who filled out this survey visited the racetrack, they were wagering $377 per capita, which is a fantastic number that any mutuel manager would welcome
That part of the article really surprised me a non contest player.

As a follow up I wonder how many pace advantage members are regular contest players? I know JimG is one.

[OTM Al]

Keith is with the NTRA not with NYRA

[PaceAdvantage]

I was gonna say...didn't recognize the name like I thought I should...