Why is it hard to find a women who likes to bet on horse racing?

[ZippyChippy423]

Historically after visiting the OTB parlors over the course of 25 years I would say the attendance was 95% men. It’s not like women don’t like to gamble. Visit any casino and 95% sitting at a slot machine are women. Why has betting on horse racing always been a man’s game?

[devilsbag]

Tracks refuse to try and market to women. For example, something catchy like "bring your nag to bet the nags" would be a great way for men to introduce more ladies to racing.

[Greyfox]

Or bring your hag to the nags? :lol:

Seriously, I used to take my elderly mother to the track. She played the races all of her adult life.
However, the foul language used by male bettors in the last 25 years seemingly increased.
I found it embarrassing for her and me to listen to the increasing "air pollution" every week, no matter where we sat.
The "foul mouth Franks" at the track seriously detracted for what could have been an enjoyable afternoon at the track.
Nowadays, I wouldn't take my wife or grand-daughter to the track.
There are too many people who don't care what language they use when ladies are present. It wasn't often that way 30 years ago.

[SkunkApe]

http://http://i67.tinypic.com/vmt946.jpg

[azeri98]

Women are not fans of the great unwashed, which seems to be the norm these days. People used to come to the track in suits, now they come in stained t-shirts and sweatpants

[CheckMark]

I think it is when a big favorite like American Pharaoh and Justify are definitely are going to win (which both swept the triple crown) that is when they join with their lady friends in my opinion. Also if it is ladies night, which up here in Canada only happens to be a few times per year, it is not really highly mentioned around the racetrack, only advertised in the track program. I'm lucky to hang out with a girl who loves horses like I do and also likes the same football team :headbanger:

[Greyfox]

When this thread was initially posted, I thought it might attract at least a few more comments as to how Horse Racing might overcome what is an obvious problem with the Female Demographic.
This post of Zippy's thread deserves more comments, IMO.

[Psychotic Parakeet]

According to your attendance percentage, I'm probably one of the rare 5% that still does. I bet much more conservatively than I did in the past though. Have had moments in the last 11 or so years where I walked away from betting to reset myself and try another handicapping approach. Been going through that vicious cycle repeatedly, and now I am "back" trying new things and hoping they work. I am not only a bettor, but a fan, love photographing the racing scene, self-published one handicapping book, and even owned a percentage of four horses in the past.

Women do exist as bettors, but lay low, because we usually get laughed at, mocked, or endure a barrage of sexist and/or intelligence insults from the 95% crowd. I lost count of how many times I got laughed at for joining the little handicapping tournaments in the past at Santa Anita. Even at places like Del Mar and the now non-existent Hollywood Park, I'd get the snide remarks, "Oh, you only like horse racing because you like to stare at the pretty horses." *eye roll*

[Greyfox]

That's a very informative post. Thank you.
But why the handle of "Psychotic Parakeet?"
When most of us see that "nutty" adjective we're inclined to shy away from saying much. Fact.
I'd suggest something like "Pretty Parakeet" or "Perceptive Parakeet" or something that people in this board are more likely to be interactive with. Your words don't seem Psychotic. Just sayin'.
Nevertheless, an informative post. :ThmbUp:

[thaskalos]

Could it be that she has a psychotic bird as a pet?

[vegasone]

Because they are smarter?

[lex]

Why is it so hard to find a guy that likes to bet on horses?

I know plenty of women that will go to Saratoga for the day and bet based on a name or whatever. I'm the only one that really handicaps. I wouldn't dream of asking any of them to go to Aqueduct with me. I don't think there are many women like me who get excited for a trip to the Big A.

I like handicapping and the challenge of trying to figure stuff out. It could be the age old debate about what genders like. Then you're also up against the issue of the horses getting hurt. I know the names of all of the horses I've followed over the years that I'm pretty sure didn't meet a good end. Hasn't chased me away yet but it does make me queasy.

[Psychotic Parakeet]

That's a very informative post. Thank you.
But why the handle of "Psychotic Parakeet?"
When most of us see that "nutty" adjective we're inclined to shy away from saying much. Fact.
I'd suggest something like "Pretty Parakeet" or "Perceptive Parakeet" or something that people in this board are more likely to be interactive with. Your words don't seem Psychotic. Just sayin'.
Nevertheless, an informative post. :ThmbUp:

Thank you for liking it.

As far as my name goes, yes, thaskalos is correct with the guess on owning a parakeet that was psychotic in the past. It has nothing to do with my own personality (we all are a little mad in a ways, right? LOL), it is a tribute to a little quirky feathered friend. :pound:

[Greyfox]

Thank you for liking it.

As far as my name goes, yes, thaskalos is correct with the guess...

Not surprising.
Thaskalos is more often right than wrong, especially in gambling at the ponies.

[Parson]

I cant say I frequent OTB's much, but the tracks I do get to for live racing are Saratoga, Keeneland, Oaklawn, Churchill Downs, Turfway, Kentucky Downs, Ellis Park, Tampa, Gulfstream and Fairgrounds. I see plenty of ladies when I go to those. My wife has been known to have better days than me as well as my 21 yr old and 16 yr old daughter.

Now that being said, the men generally do out number the ladies except on big race days, but still quite a few in attendance on regular race days. And my females love to go through the barns in the mornings. My momma pretends they are overgrown labrador retrievers

[Afleet]

they know its stupid to bet into a 25% take?

[Zaf]

Minority but trust me there are many out there :)

Z

[ultracapper]

My wife loves betting the horses, but finds the simulcast outlet close to us a dirty, disgusting pit with a clientele just a cut above the local methadone clinic.

And she's absolutely right.

The only two women there most days are the two gals that work at the windows, and after a day of work there, they're off to the methadone clinic. No self-respecting women would set foot in my local simulcast outlet, and very few self-respecting men are there. I used to go there a couple times a month. I've been there less than a half dozen times in the past 3 years. I much prefer, as my wife does, betting from home.

[biggestal99]

My wife loves the races.


She likes Monmouth, adores the New Meadowlands, and loves Saratoga.
Belmont....meh



doesnt like OTBs she's been to. Haven't had the nerve to take her to Aqueduct yet.


and yes she likes to bet.


she knows the classes (rudimentary knowledge) and form.



if she has a question she will ask. Is this horse dropping in class?



she also likes money won.


when she comes home from work on Saturdays and Sundays (she works retail) and I have been betting the exchange.


she asks me how much?


Allan

[NorCalGreg]

Because they are smarter?



I was going to say 'Because women have more sense"....then someone mentioned the slot machine thing---shot that theory all to hell.

[Grits]

For 20 years I've gone back and forth to NY, primarily, for racing. Too...had a second home in Kentucky because I love racing. I've spent a lot of time at the track, every year and it's been due to my love of horses and of handicapping.


Most women do not want to learn to handicap horse races. It is a long and arduous process that they care absolutely nothing about, though, they are all smiles when you hand them part of your winnings, gentlemen. As you know, you're a genius then. :)


I've walked and stayed all day, into the night, in some dive OTBs. Not caring that I was the only woman in the building except for the mutuel clerks. I've also been in the fine dining spots, clubhouses, etc. They're more women in those, but they can't usually handicap either. :lol:


Learn the game. Then, think, walk and talk with purpose. Don't be bothered that you may be the only woman close by.

One thing I can say... be careful approaching any woman sitting alone, handicapping and betting. .... I wasn't in a dive, I was at Keeneland. For two days, this guy sat down at my table, trying to make small talk. I paid little attention, went about my business. He drank beer. On the third day, he blurts out, "I wanna know where I stand." I raised my head. And looked across my table. " Where you stand?? With me?? Dude, I've put up with you for three days. I don't give a damn where you stand. Now get up, or I'll call security. You can't even handicap and I've heard "who ya like" for my last time."

Gentlemen, don't interrupt us when we're busy. And good luck finding those of us that love the sport. ;)

[ReplayRandall]

I was going to say 'Because women have more sense"....then someone mentioned the slot machine thing---shot that theory all to hell.
Less takeout on the slots....Might be sitting next to them soon...:lol:

[thaskalos]

There was a beautiful Russian girl who used to come to my local Chicago-area OTB. She used to sit alone, and was deep in handicapping thought...while the local "playboys" would periodically walk up to her and try to impress her by giving her picks on horses that they liked. "Don't even tell me the name of the horse. Here...take $10 and bet $5 to win and place on it for me"...she used to tell them with a disarming smile. As I recall...she was never told that any of her bets ever lost. If the OTB hadn't shut down...she would surely have been rich by now. I hope that she had the good sense to take her surefire system to some other wagering locale. :ThmbUp:

[Robert Fischer]

For 20 years I've gone back and forth to NY, primarily, for racing. Too...had a second home in Kentucky because I love racing. I've spent a lot of time at the track, every year and it's been due to my love of horses and of handicapping.


Most women do not want to learn to handicap horse races. It is a long and arduous process that they care absolutely nothing about, though, they are all smiles when you hand them part of your winnings, gentlemen. As you know, you're a genius then. :)


I've walked and stayed all day, into the night, in some dive OTBs. Not caring that I was the only woman in the building except for the mutuel clerks. I've also been in the fine dining spots, clubhouses, etc. They're more women in those, but they can't usually handicap either. :lol:


Learn the game. Then, think, walk and talk with purpose. Don't be bothered that you may be the only woman close by.

One thing I can say... be careful approaching any woman sitting alone, handicapping and betting. .... I wasn't in a dive, I was at Keeneland. For two days, this guy sat down at my table, trying to make small talk. I paid little attention, went about my business. He drank beer. On the third day, he blurts out, "I wanna know where I stand." I raised my head. And looked across my table. " Where you stand?? With me?? Dude, I've put up with you for three days. I don't give a damn where you stand. Now get up, or I'll call security. You can't even handicap and I've heard "who ya like" for my last time."

Gentlemen, don't interrupt us when we're busy. And good luck finding those of us that love the sport. ;)

:ThmbUp:

I'm lucky that my sweetheart likes animals, and doesn't gamble or drink. She simply enjoys the live racing, fresh air, atmosphere. We always split something like pizza, popcorn, a hot tea...

If I win, I take her out for some nice food, and if I lose I cook a nice dinner at home.