Maryland pick 5

[SG4]

So it seems like the biggest wish from horseplayers is for lower takeout & big fields - so Maryland's tracks, Pimlico & Laurel, reduced their pick 5 to a 12% takeout this year. This is a real pick 5, no jackpot or anything like that. Yesterday, on a Saturday card in the summer, with fields of 10, 13, 7, 10 & 12 the Laurel pick 5 handled $3,799. This makes me sad, as when I read about the takeout being lowered earlier this year I thought this would bump the handle on this wager a fair amount & would make it interesting to play. It's not like these are bush league tracks either, a step below the top, but middle rung for sure. When HANA was so instrumental at trying to boycott Churchill when rates went up, why no love & promotion for when tracks do the right thing? Maybe the track is at fault for lack of promotion? I have to think if they guaranteed this pool here & there people would start to take notice of its benefits & play it more on non-guaranteed days.

[Ruffian1]

So it seems like the biggest wish from horseplayers is for lower takeout & big fields - so Maryland's tracks, Pimlico & Laurel, reduced their pick 5 to a 12% takeout this year. This is a real pick 5, no jackpot or anything like that. Yesterday, on a Saturday card in the summer, with fields of 10, 13, 7, 10 & 12 the Laurel pick 5 handled $3,799. This makes me sad, as when I read about the takeout being lowered earlier this year I thought this would bump the handle on this wager a fair amount & would make it interesting to play. It's not like these are bush league tracks either, a step below the top, but middle rung for sure. When HANA was so instrumental at trying to boycott Churchill when rates went up, why no love & promotion for when tracks do the right thing? Maybe the track is at fault for lack of promotion? I have to think if they guaranteed this pool here & there people would start to take notice of its benefits & play it more on non-guaranteed days.

That is sad for sure.

A lot of posts about high takeout , and many, justifiably so, but it HAS to be a two way street . Doesn't seem as though it is, does it.

[Poindexter]

I wish it was as easy as announcing a lower takeout on a certain pool and every gambler in the world flocking to that pool....But reality is that racetracks are right and wrong about takeout. Yes the majority of players have no clue what the takeout is nor the significance of it. Because of this race tracks feel they can remain in the pre-legalized gambling phase and continue to charge any price they want for takeout. A lot of the damage is already done and would take years to correct if there was any motivation to correct it. How many horse players have already left the building to never come back? Do they even know there is a lower takeout on the pick 5. Do they even care now? Their gambling money has been transferred elsewhere. Whether it is the local casino, poker room, online casino or poker room, sport betting, fantasy sports....they already have found a better place for their gambling dollar. Also, let's face it a 12% takeout on a pick 5 is just a loss leader so to speak. It does't change the fact that their customers are getting gouged on every other bet they make.

I have mentioned this before but the effects of takeout and rebates(for those who are not getting them) are subtle. People can't tell you why they can't beat the game, they just come to the realization that there is a better place for their gambling dollar than the racetrack(may take weeks, months, or years but they eventually get there (with the exception of those that truly love the game or are super sharp) and they are gone, often forever.

What good is a 12% takeout on a $3800 pool? Twinspires gives 10% bonuses on pick 4's at racetracks at assorted tracks throughout the year. When Pimlico had a mandatory payout of the jackpot pick 6 that was special. They had over a million dollars bet in that pool that day(if I am not mistaken). I still maintain that typically on a pool like that the amount bet provides enough takeout to offset the carryover. So why not create it artificially. IF Maryland tracks start offering $20,000 bonus in the late pick 4 every Saturday, do you think there is a chance in the world I would not play it every Saturday and you can bet your last dollar that I will bet other pools with them. If promoted properly, horse players across the country would start doing the same.

[Aerocraft67]

DRF noted the "industry low" takeout in the Laurel pick 5 when it covered the meet opening. You'd think a 12% takeout pick 5 would garner more attention around here. Then again most punters probably left Laurel for dead a while ago. I'm actually curious about the track upgrades and look forward to getting over there to check it out. But I confess that I've been focusing my limited time on Belmont and haven't played Laurel yet myself this summer. I'll probably play Laurel in the fall, including a few trips in person. Sadly, I'm a real small timer and can't afford to play the pick 5 right, although I may take a shot with a thin caveman ticket if I can give it some attention. Hopefully the pool will have well exceeded four grand by then.

[Aerocraft67]

Both the pick 3 and the pick 4 ending with race 8 yesterday had higher pools than the pick 5; $5,400 and $8,300 respectively. What's up with that?

[EMD4ME]

I am just one player but the honest truth is this: I simply don't like the product. Left Laurel and Pimlico for dead many many many years ago. They can have a zero takeout and I won't play it. Not bashing them, just the truth. This may sound crazy but I don't like their graphics, the presentation of the races, the camera angles and I feel like a dead fish amonst sharper sharks in a circuit that I know nothing about.

I don't expect anyone to agree with me as it's just my irrational thoughts on Mayland racing but it's my 2 cents.

Btw, I grew up in Rockville Maryland, which one would make you think would make me want to support the product.

Regardless, I do hope they do better in the future.

[Ruffian1]

I am just one player but the honest truth is this: I simply don't like the product. Left Laurel and Pimlico for dead many many many years ago. They can have a zero takeout and I won't play it. Not bashing them, just the truth. This may sound crazy but I don't like their graphics, the presentation of the races, the camera angles and I feel like a dead fish amonst sharper sharks in a circuit that I know nothing about.

I don't expect anyone to agree with me as it's just my irrational thoughts on Mayland racing but it's my 2 cents.

Btw, I grew up in Rockville Maryland, which one would make you think would make me want to support the product.

Regardless, I do hope they do better in the future.

Grew up about 10 minutes away in N.W. Wash. Palisades area.
Trained in Md. for decades.
Went to Chick Lang in the late 70's as a pro active young trainer trying to make a difference.
Told him how bad the camera angle was at Pimlico and how it blocked the view of 1/2 the grandstand inside.
Needless to say, he blew me off.
Oh well. I tried.
Don't know about now but there were several sharps that I knew very well that were there everyday, watching everything from grading before the 1st to grading after the last and they really did know what they were looking at. While the work was very long hours and almost everyday, they did quite well for a long time.
Guess I can't blame you after years and years of 5-6 horse fields.
I find it incredible that pools with twice the takeout have twice the play in them but like many forms of gambling, the majority of players in those different arenas have very little understanding as to what is really going on.

[EMD4ME]

Grew up about 10 minutes away in N.W. Wash. Palisades area.
Trained in Md. for decades.
Went to Chick Lang in the late 70's as a pro active young trainer trying to make a difference.
Told him how bad the camera angle was at Pimlico and how it blocked the view of 1/2 the grandstand inside.
Needless to say, he blew me off.
Oh well. I tried.
Don't know about now but there were several sharps that I knew very well that were there everyday, watching everything from grading before the 1st to grading after the last and they really did know what they were looking at. While the work was very long hours and almost everyday, they did quite well for a long time.
Guess I can't blame you after years and years of 5-6 horse fields.
I find it incredible that pools with twice the takeout have twice the play in them but like many forms of gambling, the majority of players in those different arenas have very little understanding as to what is really going on.

I am so thankful someone pointed out the "view"...Sorry they didn't listen. Maryland was awesome and I have fond memories....I was more of a Charles Town boy growing up and sadly I'd place a wager there first as opposed to Laurel/Pimlico. I guess it's also a familiarity type of issue.

I too am takeout sensitive but more importantly I like playing where I feel I have an edge. That is why I avoid California as well. I have zero edge there and I'm 3000 miles away. That is one tough circuit (in terms of info and clockers).

I always love reading your posts Ruffian! Love hearing your 'inside' thoughts.

Please keep posting!

[Valuist]

I am just one player but the honest truth is this: I simply don't like the product. Left Laurel and Pimlico for dead many many many years ago. They can have a zero takeout and I won't play it. Not bashing them, just the truth. This may sound crazy but I don't like their graphics, the presentation of the races, the camera angles and I feel like a dead fish amonst sharper sharks in a circuit that I know nothing about.

I don't expect anyone to agree with me as it's just my irrational thoughts on Mayland racing but it's my 2 cents.

Btw, I grew up in Rockville Maryland, which one would make you think would make me want to support the product.

Regardless, I do hope they do better in the future.

I understand you leaving them years ago, but the betting product has improved. Field sizes are much bigger; quality is improved. Plenty of turf racing. I found myself starting to play Laurel last year. With so many tracks in a downward spiral, the MD tracks seem to be the exception.

[EMD4ME]

I understand you leaving them years ago, but the betting product has improved. Field sizes are much bigger; quality is improved. Plenty of turf racing. I found myself starting to play Laurel last year. With so many tracks in a downward spiral, the MD tracks seem to be the exception.

I hope so. I want all tracks to prosper and thrive. Was just being honest.

Does the circuit have a paddock reporter like Maggie at NYRA?

Do they broadcast in HD?

How is the drug/supertrainer situation down there?

Just wondering. I really haven't watched the feed much recently.

[Ruffian1]

I am so thankful someone pointed out the "view"...Sorry they didn't listen. Maryland was awesome and I have fond memories....I was more of a Charles Town boy growing up and sadly I'd place a wager there first as opposed to Laurel/Pimlico. I guess it's also a familiarity type of issue.

I too am takeout sensitive but more importantly I like playing where I feel I have an edge. That is why I avoid California as well. I have zero edge there and I'm 3000 miles away. That is one tough circuit (in terms of info and clockers).

I always love reading your posts Ruffian! Love hearing your 'inside' thoughts.

Please keep posting!

Oh my! CharlesTown was where I cut my teeth as a customer years before starting a career in Md. Not sure of your age but was Shenandoah Downs ever on your radar? Man I learned so much watching horses that went 3 1/2 try to go 4 1/2 and vise versa. Same with 5 1/2 and 6 1/2. It blew me away . But once I understood, it was solid value at Chuck Town during my high school years.
How about you. What was your C.T. time era?

[EMD4ME]

Oh my! CharlesTown was where I cut my teeth as a customer years before starting a career in Md. Not sure of your age but was Shenandoah Downs ever on your radar? Man I learned so much watching horses that went 3 1/2 try to go 4 1/2 and vise versa. Same with 5 1/2 and 6 1/2. It blew me away . But once I understood, it was solid value at Chuck Town during my high school years.
How about you. What was your C.T. time era?

Shenandoah was closing when I was a little pup. My mom carried me around in her womb at Charles Town. I grew up walking behind the trainer's boxes rooting for the 10 in every race (at 3 years old) and many times there wasn't a ten in the race!!! LOL

I sadly was doing turn times at 4. I was born with 1 talent LOL and that was being a math freak from a very young age. I watched a lady in her 60's write down her own equibase past performances every race. She would chart all trips and keep them in a note book. I asked my dad what she's doing and he told me she's advanced. My mom was so beautiful in her younger days. Guys would hit on her and many times give her horses. Many times these tips would win when they were given by this one much older gentleman.

Ahhh the memories...

We went back year after year after moving to NY in 1982. However, we had a spell where we didn't go for a loooooong time. We went back and after many years, my mom went into the ladies bathroom. Everything was almost new with the racino except for the ladies bathroom. She came out sobbing hysterically. I said what's wrong mom? She said I walked in there and the stalls were the same, the walls the same and the mirror the same. I remember it being 1975 and you were just a gleam in my eye. It's 35 years later and as I walked into the bathroom the memories poured back like it was just yesterday.

I'll never forget taking that highway (340) through 3 states, Maryland, WV and Virginia and going through the Shenandoah river to get to Chuck Town or Charllieees Town as I would call it as a kid.

Memories :( :)

[Ruffian1]

Shenandoah was closing when I was a little pup. My mom carried me around in her womb at Charles Town. I grew up walking behind the trainer's boxes rooting for the 10 in every race (at 3 years old) and many times there wasn't a ten in the race!!! LOL

I sadly was doing turn times at 4. I was born with 1 talent LOL and that was being a math freak from a very young age. I watched a lady in her 60's write down her own equibase past performances every race. She would chart all trips and keep them in a note book. I asked my dad what she's doing and he told me she's advanced. My mom was so beautiful in her younger days. Guys would hit on her and many times give her horses. Many times these tips would win when they were given by this one much older gentleman.

Ahhh the memories...

We went back year after year after moving to NY in 1982. However, we had a spell where we didn't go for a loooooong time. We went back and after many years, my mom went into the ladies bathroom. Everything was almost new with the racino except for the ladies bathroom. She came out sobbing hysterically. I said what's wrong mom? She said I walked in there and the stalls were the same, the walls the same and the mirror the same. I remember it being 1975 and you were just a gleam in my eye. It's 35 years later and as I walked into the bathroom the memories poured back like it was just yesterday.

I'll never forget taking that highway (340) through 3 states, Maryland, WV and Virginia and going through the Shenandoah river to get to Chuck Town or Charllieees Town as I would call it as a kid.

Memories :( :)

Great story. Thanks for sharing.
All those times I went by Harper's Ferry like you, I never stopped in. Was always afraid I would miss the daily double.:D
Needed to try and get ahead so I could play the Big Exacta.:ThmbUp:
A lot of times I would tend to play a closer just to hear my horse" coming on" just before the finish.

[cnollfan]

I follow racing relatively closely and had no idea Laurel had a reduced takeout on the Pick 5. Even so, a multi-race wager like that needs a pool well into five digits to make the bet remotely appealing.

The last time I attended Laurel live was in 2007. At that time it was incredibly run-down and depressing. I went to Hawthorne a month later and the quaint little Cicero track felt like the Taj Mahal in comparison. Glad to hear they are trying to improve.

Northlands Park (Edmonton, Alberta) has an interesting promotion on their Pick 4. $1 minimum tickets and the initial pool is $10,000 guaranteed. If nobody picks 4 there is no consolation payoff and the entire pool is carried over.