Favorite Harness Tracks To Bet

[trying2win]

My favorite harness tracks and/or circuits to bet on are:

1. THE MEADOWLANDS...by far http://l.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/113.gif

2. THE CHICAGO circuit...i.e. BALMORAL, MAYWOOD, HAWTHORNE.


--Feel free to list your favorite harness tracks and/or circuits that you like to bet on. Would be interesting to compare notes.


T2W

[Versajoe]

I'm new to this, but I have the best luck at Yonkers and the worst luck at Mohawk.

[wilderness]

I'm new to this, but I have the best luck at Yonkers and the worst luck at Mohawk.

If your able to master the turns and curves at Hazel Park?
Mohawk is a vaction ;)

[badcompany]

I like 1/2 mile speed favoring tracks. At this point, Harrington is the best one. Batavia used to be good, but has since deteriorated to the point of no return. Yonkers used to be the best until they lengthened the stretch.

I don't know why people like the Meadowlands. Most of the races are these 2 year old sire stakes in which 1/2 the field breaks. How can you bet serious money on that type of racing?

While I was at Saratoga, I checked out Hazel. Seems unbettable to me. Northfield is a good track to bet if you believe you have too much money.

[LottaKash]

I always like to share my opinion on this matter.....

I like to play all the tracks from time to time, but I always seem to comeback to the same tracks on a regular basis......These tracks seem to give me the most winners and best bang for the buck than many of the others......

I am a great fan of Early Speed, as it is the anchor for my handicapping.......When you have a track that is good for Early speed, you can make heads or tails of the horses and their various styles of running.....When you can explain, using Early Speed, a win or a loss with some authority, you can make your adjustments on a nightly/daily basis, and know with some assurance if you miscalcalculated a horse's chances of winning a particular race...Early speed allows for this.........

There are some tracks where early speed is mostly unpredictable, as it doesn't hold up enough on a regular basis, and when you have this condition in an ongoing basis, trying to assess the possible pre-race strategies of the horses and drivers is damn near impossible, I mean how can you? There is no base-line to go back to........

At a speed favoring track when the front-runners are not winning, I generally do not play much, and I let my grand-daughter help me out there........
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POCONO DOWNS........This track is my all-time favorite...It is a very speed favoring track, and on some days if you are not 1 or 2 to the half, you have very little, if any chance to win.......This also results in a lot of chalk horses winning......but the trade is, since the casino has been established here, the purses are way-up, and that attracts a nice mix of horses, and many of the regular top-drivers and trainers from the Meadowlands and Dover, visit this track regularly, and the result is, a lot of good racing, and many more contenders have a shot of winning, than in the past.....On some days rather than all the front-running horses, winning all the races, there is a PHENOMENON, that occurs occasionally, and I dubbed it "LTBF" (Last To Be First).....This usually happens when the fractions to the 3/4's are unusually fast, and the front runners are not used to going that fast to the 3/4's (recently) and a smart driver will usually go for it in one fell swoop and bottom the field out to win going away, and the others are left huffing and puffing......or on another day, you will have a day full of LBTF horses only the fractions especially the first half is dull or slower than average (I'm sure this is variant related), and a heady driver will sense this, and make that same extended LTBF move and score nicely......Tim Tetrick, Tony Morgan and Eric Goodell dominate here

To play Pocono on a regular basis, you must be "well prepared" in advance, as they run the races so fast that there is barely time to do any serious handicapping......This track is my favorite for the main reason that I am always looking for a "Back-Class" horse that has fallen on hard times and is down in class, and, in his last race or two has shown some un-usually fast early fractiions, I mean wickedly unusual fractions on the front end to 3/4's, and better yet to the stretch call, then drops in class and now this horse is prepared and prepped to do his back class magic.....I have caught the majority of my top-scores using this model.........The crowd in general does not like horse who were racing out of their skins on the engine or 1st over, and then, then tire and fade (even tho a good excuse for losing), they will fall in love with some other nice horse and forget all about this little goodie........This angle works especially well from the outside posts (adds to the high odds)....As a reminder, the only things (other than luck), that can beat the outside posts are CLASS & SPEED.......and this angle gives you both.....I have caught many, many $20-40 horses at this track, and they figured..........Patience is key here.....Also, be on the alert for fast 3/4 times especialy, the third 1/4.......typically the 3/4 times are slow and average at this track, so when you get a 3d 1/4 faster then 27 you have a live horse if he was going forward in his last race.....Often you will see horses that were well off the pace in these races and believe me, because they were going these same fast fractions as the leaders, if they gained lengths/or positions or ideally both in the late stages of a race, they are often good plays their next time out.......The same goes for an especially fast middle-half..........The first halfs, middle halfs and 3d 1/4's are so generally slow, that horses shipping from Pocono, often have a hard time competing at other tracks.....So when a horse ships to another track, be reasonably sure this horse has a nice fast middle half or fast 3d 1/4........
This track, despite a very chalky place, often has a less sophisticated crowd at times (especially on Sat's) and they defend the favorites as if they were defending their inheritance, and some nice juicy prices can be had if you pay attention......many times I will get horses that pay $8-12 that should have been 8/5......watch everything....(there is a casino there and Youbet carries this track)
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HARRAH'S CHESTER DOWNS.......This track is quite similar to Pocono as it is a 5/8th's of mile track......Another very good track full of quality horses and trainers and drivers.......Top notch racing, but, the crowd isn't as generous in giving away logical horses that pay big balloons, as Pocono......Don't get me wrong, If you have the nerve and talent to spot good situations, they pop up often enough, that it pays to watch every little thing.....I like this track, and on days after watching a few races, and, you just know the front end is tough today, you can cash many tickets and some nice mid-priced winners......I often, tho, don't even make a play at all, on some days......every day is different, and you never know what the crowd will give you......There is enough time to handicap a race if you are going in cold.....(there is a casino there and Youbet carries this track) This track is also good for the LBTF horses.....Tim Tetrick, Tony Morgan dominate here, but other top drivers show up and it makes for some nice racing spots........
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When looking for a LBTF horse at these 2 above tracks, the best horses to play are, horses that showed up well at the finish with a good last 1/4, after setting or challenging for the lead, or overcoming ouside posts, and that have been in races with really fast middle halfs and/or a very fast 3d 1/4.......
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Another favorite line I like at these 2 tracks are horses, that I have dubbed "EAL" (early and lost) these will be the horses that were up in early position (within 2-1/2 lengths of the leader, then lost 2-4 lengths from that position to the 3/4's, then raced evenly in the stretch, staying even and not losing anymore lengths, with a nice and quick last 1/4..........it would look something like this........6... 2-1/12....3-2...6-5...7-7...7-7 27.3 or......
5...1-1-1/4...1-1/2...4-6...8-6...7-6 27.2 or something along those lines, they must have a fast early half, or middle half, and/or a fast 3d 1/4......if they closed in that race and gained many lengths thru the stretch, you will lose the odds advantage......but still these are good LBTF horses....these are great hidden lines and work at all tracks....they are especially powerful when the horse has shown he is in form in previous races to this one.
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FRASIER DOWNS..........This track will be re-opening sometime in September, and I'm eagerly waiting it's comeback......This is a strange bull ring 5/8's mile track......It features Bill Davis, Serge Masse, and a bunch of othe very capable drivers and very good trainers.......There are always a lot of in form horses and the racing there is probably the most exciting you will see at any track anywhere, as it seems going forward for the lead is almost relentless throughout many of the races, Lots of LBTF horses with the top drivers.....One must pay attention to subtleties to be successful there, as there are many competitive races, and because of the limited amount of available horses, they take turns winning, and you have to patient and watchful for certain things to find success....I'm not exactly sure why, but I do rather well at this place....and I generally use the same things as any 5/8th's track........lots of chalk, but a lot of catchable $7-12 horses........(there is a casino there and youbet carries this track)
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MOHAWK / WOODBINE.............I like mile track racing, and lately I have learned and adjusted my selection methods at Mohawk and I am now winning much more regularly than in years past......In fact as of this post, I was able to cash in 3 of 4 races tonite, and one was a $22 number........Patience is key at Mohawk.....It seems this season there are more front runners holding their own than in previous meetings......I guess the horses are enjoying the summer this year.......I sit out many many races tho, and some nights no bets at all......But, when speed is holding and I can find a good speed horse I will play......Woodbine is a much more speed favoring track...too much chalk for me tho and many sitouts there as well.......(there is a casion there and youbet carries their signal)
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HAWTHORNE ............Of the three Chicago tracks, I like Hawthorne best, as it gives you a fair shake, on most nights, on the front end, for a 1-mile track, that is.....Front runners can hold on there fairly well, compared to Balmoral Park.....I do play Balmoral occasionally, but for me there are too many mysteries and unexplained outcomes, that can't be explained using speed factors........too many surprises,,,,and Maywood I haven't a clue, as 1/2 mile tracks are too tough by themselves, to get good prices (logically) and I think that, some more or less, honest drivers and trainers turn into thieves, when they ship there.......always at a loss there.......I miss the old Sportsman's Park tho............(youbet carries their signals).
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MEADOWLANDS........... This was my home track for many, many years, and sometimes I miss all the racing there.Was there on opening nite ...But this year for some reason was not as good as some other years........Seems there were too many out of shape horses running there lately, (maybe the summer blahs) and too many races for non-winners and 2yo's.........dull racing for me.....I didn't play much there this year......I mean I was there (youbet) but made few plays, maybe 1- a nite average.......There were some nice scores, early in the season, but the last couple of months....poopies.....Except for Art Official.......try and get $27 on that horse again....good luck....Best Drivers and Trainers anywhere
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DOVER DOWNS...........I should have listed this track before Mohawk, Hawthorne, and Meadowlands......This is another chalk 5/8's track, and patience pays here.....Lots of good horses, trainers and drivers......good competitive racing.....Outside posts suck here.need mucho class and speed to overcome or lots of luck........Tony Morgan and Tim Tetrick dominate here, but other big drivers like to come here when not attending to other places.....Sometimes, some mysterious things happen here...haha (there is a casino there and youbet carries their signal)
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Well, those are my faves........

humbly,

[trying2win]

LOTTA KASH:

Great post! I really enjoyed reading it. Hope you and your relatives are all well on your way back to good health, as I had read recently about some of your setbacks in another post.

BTW....PREMIER TURF CLUB also offers wagering on all the harness tracks you listed, except for FRASER DOWNS and the MOHAWK/WOODBINE circuit. Just a personal preference, but I'd rather have the rebates from PTC, even if I could bet through YOU BET. Some folks would rather have more options for getting live video and points for cashing in on merchandise at YOU BET. To each their own though.

Unless you're getting a rebate, in my opinion it's not a good idea to bet trifectas or superfectas at POCONO DOWNS. Those type of gimmick bets at that track are listed on the takeout chart at:

http://www.oddsonracing.com/bettors_corner_oe_takeouts.cfm

as being an outrageous 35 %!

--I'm assuming those above POCONO DOWNS takeout figures are correct for the trifectas and superfectas at that website. Mind you, I noticed one error on their website. They list our local track NORTHLANDS PARK as having a WPS takeout rate of 22.8 %. That's incorrect. The WPS takeout at NORTHLANDS PARK is 16.4 %, and all gimmicks are at 24.8 %.


T2W

[LottaKash]

Hey Trying, good to hear from you, glad you liked the post.......

I never bet tri-s or supers. only COLD Exactas and WIN bets or w/p bets over 10/1.....or an occasional Key-box exacta

I just like looking and lurking for my spots, and grinding it out, it keeps it simple and I am always growing my Bankroll, not by leaps and bounds, but always forward.........This keeps it fun and rewarding for me.....

Hope you are hittn-em real good..

best,

[botster]

I like 1/2 mile speed favoring tracks. At this point, Harrington is the best one. Batavia used to be good, but has since deteriorated to the point of no return. Yonkers used to be the best until they lengthened the stretch.

I don't know why people like the Meadowlands. Most of the races are these 2 year old sire stakes in which 1/2 the field breaks. How can you bet serious money on that type of racing?

While I was at Saratoga, I checked out Hazel. Seems unbettable to me. Northfield is a good track to bet if you believe you have too much money.

Bad Co you bet only 1/2 mile racing?? Yonkers should be right up your alley the most predictable racing in the country.Remember that run into the first turn is a joke, so the lineups are a "no brainer".Nobody sweeps there because of the turns, so closers are defeated when the draw is made.

Northfield is the best 1/2 miler by far though you seem to dislike it.

How can you say the Meadowlands only has 2 yo races when they only run in abundance the last three weeks of the meet.

I am amazed by cappers who can beat the 1/2 milers, please feel free to post some of your selections from time to time.

[Versajoe]

Why would a 1/2 miler be more difficult to make money at? I've heard this mentioned before, but never really understood why. Is it because everyone is fighting for the same inside horses?

[botster]

Why would a 1/2 miler be more difficult to make money at? I've heard this mentioned before, but never really understood why. Is it because everyone is fighting for the same inside horses?

1/2 milers are a chalk players paradise, one is forced to try to trip handicap cold numbers to stay afloat for a while, but the percentages say in the long run the ship must sink.

In other words, it's much easier to handicap, but much harder to show a profit.

[LottaKash]

Why would a 1/2 miler be more difficult to make money at? I've heard this mentioned before, but never really understood why. Is it because everyone is fighting for the same inside horses?

Versa, fwiw, from my experience, I agree wholeheartedly with the "Botster", as 1/2 milers are the hardest places to make money, at least in the " Longrun"........There are extreme track bias' that you must respect at all times, and because of the overall lower win prices, you are really up against it for the longhaul, as you also have to combat the track take as well.........so, in the end you must be right a whole lot in the long run.....

Some people have a natural affinity for looking at things the right way, and do very well at those bullrings.....but, again you have to be right "alot" and you can't afford to make many mistakes, as you will go broke many times, before you find the overall success that we are all searching for......

I played Yonkers, Roosevelt (closed since) and Freehold for many years, as they were the only games in town, and for as good as I was, or thought I was, I never was an overall winner in the longrun.....During those times, I was there each day, or at least as often as I could, and I ate sleeped and breathed hoss racin'.......Now, I will only occcasionally play at those tracks..I like the challenge of picking the winners in big name races mostly......You know the Very Best of Horses and Drivers, but usually that is it.........

Also, at the 1/2's, the cheaper the classes, the less consistent you will get in finding winners.....You must pay strict attention to Early-Speed and Inside Post Position Bias, they are and should be your greatest assests at these places.......It is very hard to plan (unless you have the experience to acccurately estimate the trip of each horse) on having a closer win to win, as it's chances are dependent on the pace and fractions of the race......If all of us could do that with confidence, we would win all of the races, wouldn't we.....

There are people who do quite, quite well at these places, and throughout my lifetime, I have met and known them.....They are/were very successful winners, and had the winning tickets to prove it.....but, they were very deliberate and patient with their wagers, and learned never to speculate, only to invest...
That takes a lot of discipline at experience, as it is not about the action, it is about winning, and you cannot afford to make many mistakes, again it is about the low prices and track take.......You can and will have many winning days, and think that this game is easy, but in the longrun, unh-unh........Keep score, it will all be revealed to you.....It's just as "Bot" said, as he has been there and he knows of what he is talking about.....

I like to watch racing at 1/2 milers, as it is exciting at times, especially when you have a field of in form contenders....but again the prices and the take...

I prefer 5/8th mile tracks, as it kinda gives you the best of both Big-Track and Small-Track benefits.....Meaning early speed is of the utmost importance, but still at most of these medium sized tracks, the stretch is a little more forgiving than the smaller tracks, and you can make a little mistake and still have a shot at making it up in the lane.......Not to a GREAT DEGREE but a liitle better shot than the smaller tracks.........

I also like the big 1-mile tracks, as that forgiving factor is the greatest on the big ovals..... Often, Horses that I play at these tracks, are the horses that I think will be up front on the engine, only to have the race unfold where, the driver of my horse will take back early (initially, leaving me very disappointed), and then there is this LONG-STRETCH and Voila' here comes my Goodie flying down the lane to getup and win it......go figure.....Conversely, there are times (on the 1-milers), where, when the horses are turning for home and straighten to the wire, my horse will have 2 0r 3 lengths on the field, and I am counting my tickets, only to have some horse come flying out of the clouds to just get up and nip my sure-thing......haha.....But, that is the challenge of the Big-track racing.....

In the end, tho, the TWO most predominant factors that I rely on race after race and day after day are; "FORM"....and "EARLY SPEED", and if you would reduce it to, just one most important thing, forsaking all else (Final Speed is a Given).........F-O-R-M, for me, would be it.......If your horse is not in shape, forget about it.......But, and a Big-But, is, form looks and acts differently in many scenarios, and that, to me is the Biggest Secret and Obstacle to winning ....As you gain experience (lots of it) It becomes clearer who is in shape.....Then, the problems begin to balloon, when you start combining other elements and factors, then confusion sets in, and sometimes we get lost, you know, we start handicapping a race to death.......That is why, whenver you get lost no matter the size track......You must always go back to square one, and look to FORM to get you untracked.......There are many, many races with UN-Formful horses, and they are difficult to handicap in the longrun......Try to stick to horses that are in SHAPE/FORM......These are the livest horses and will almost perform decently and try to win.......If you are cashing tickets regularly, as I think you may be, you are betting mostly on in form horses, has to be......No one is that lucky....

That's it........whew.....I love this game.....

humbly,

[Versajoe]

It's funny. The last part of your post hit it right on the head for me. I used to concentrate on form. But lately, as I've learned more, I've really started to get confused and to second guess myself.

I think I've been factoring speed way too much versus form. I've become afraid of a horse with great form and ran its last race at 1:58 versus a horse with poorer form that ran its last race in 1:57.

So that's my predicament right now. How to balance speed with form. I suspect that I was giving speed too much attention.

I'm also having a harder time figuring out pace than I thought. It seems like most horses either never make a real move, or make moves at different times. The true early runners and closers seem to be few and far between.

[LottaKash]

It's funny. The last part of your post hit it right on the head for me. I used to concentrate on form. But lately, as I've learned more, I've really started to get confused and to second guess myself.

I think I've been factoring speed way too much versus form. I've become afraid of a horse with great form and ran its last race at 1:58 versus a horse with poorer form that ran its last race in 1:57.

So that's my predicament right now. How to balance speed with form. I suspect that I was giving speed too much attention.

I'm also having a harder time figuring out pace than I thought. It seems like most horses either never make a real move, or make moves at different times. The true early runners and closers seem to be few and far between.


Hey Versajoe, Later tonite or some time this weekend, I will pass on a little exercise that you can practice and apply, and you should do this in order to get pace, in better perspective....and when you combine it with GOOD FORM, you will get a lot more winners and/or have more horses that will be trying to win...and racing will be much more fun....look for it.....right now I'm doing chores and getting ready for the action at Mohawk tonite.....

Are you listening Roy and PK ?

GL

best,

[Versajoe]

Thanks!

[mrroyboy]

Yes John

I always listen to you!!!

[Charlie]

First of all, Lotta Kash, glad your back with us and wish you the best. I am probably in the minority, but my favorite track is Rockingham which is due to close on Labor day. Next, it's the Meadowlands which at the present is closed. After Rockingham closes, I'll probably jump to Plainridge. My favorite all time driver is John Hogan and he's doing quite well at Plainridge. Well back to my handicapping ....

[badcompany]

--I'm assuming those above POCONO DOWNS takeout figures are correct for the trifectas and superfectas at that website. Mind you, I noticed one error on their website. They list our local track NORTHLANDS PARK as having a WPS takeout rate of 22.8 %. That's incorrect. The WPS takeout at NORTHLANDS PARK is 16.4 %, and all gimmicks are at 24.8 %.


T2W

Just think about that, for a minute. With a 25% takeout, a player needs a 33% ROI just to break even. With the Pocono tri takeout, one would need a 50% ROI to break even. A stock market investor with a 20% ROI is considered spectacular. Is horseracing any easier than the stock market? I don't think so. This is why, as much as I enjoy handicapping and betting, it's an absolutely horrible game for the player who is almost guaranteed to lose money.

[badcompany]

Northfield is the best 1/2 miler by far though you seem to dislike it.


I don't know your criteria for determining "The Best," but, if you think it's Northfield I guess you like betting NW200 Last 5 starts races. That's what you get most of the time at Northfield. Your typical harness horse runs about 25-30 times a years. So, the horses at Northfield are pulling in a whopping 5-6k a year in purses. Can you really put a significant amount of money on horses like that?

[LottaKash]

First of all, Lotta Kash, glad your back with us and wish you the best. I am probably in the minority, but my favorite track is Rockingham which is due to close on Labor day. Next, it's the Meadowlands which at the present is closed. After Rockingham closes, I'll probably jump to Plainridge. My favorite all time driver is John Hogan and he's doing quite well at Plainridge. Well back to my handicapping ....


Hey Charlie, good to hear from you.....I always liked the rock, trouble is for me, Youbet doesn't carry the feed, too bad.......and I always like the live video when i play......I rarely make a bet without being able to watch....Plainridge is a nice track also, too bad they don't have more horses and more races , but that is the way it is these days......Gets boring seeing the same ole horses in the same ole classes all the time.....still there are lots of good drivers and good trainers there...the trainers at PR do a remarkable job keeping those cheap horses going so good week after week.....

best,

[botster]

I don't know your criteria for determining "The Best," but, if you think it's Northfield I guess you like betting NW200 Last 5 starts races. That's what you get most of the time at Northfield. Your typical harness horse runs about 25-30 times a years. So, the horses at Northfield are pulling in a whopping 5-6k a year in purses. Can you really put a significant amount of money on horses like that?

It's the best of all the worst is what I am saying.Nobody can win wagering on any half mile track.

If a casual player wants the best shot at catching a big number on a half once in a while, Northfield is the place to catch it.Cheap horses are good betting prospects, but not over the half milers.

[Ray2000]

4 year record 2005-2008
Trifecta betting

My Best Tracks
Indiana 1 (best)
Hazel Park 5/8
Woodbine 7/8
Rideau-Carleton 5/8
Hoosier 7/8
Chester 5/8
Balmoral 1
Georgia 5/8

My Worst Tracks (all negative ROI's)
Freehold 1/2 (worst)
Fraser 5/8
Dover 5/8
Northlands 5/8
Pompano 5/8
Lebanon 1/2
Batavia 1/2
Saratoga 1/2

but I know if I stop betting the bottom 8 tracks...
then the mother of all signers will hit the next day.:)

[JBmadera]

new to harness this year but so far I like Indiana, Balmoral, The Big M and Chester. my handicapping still stinks so I usually just watch the races and occasionally bet one of Ray's or Bot's picks.

[LottaKash]

new to harness , . my handicapping still stinks
.

Hey JBmadera, welcome to the Stinkers club......haha.....stick with it, you will have fun learning, and hopefully, learn to be not so stinky.........:jump: ....I have been doing this for a long time, and now I only stink on rainy days, just like the dog......:jump:

best,

[JBmadera]

Hey JBmadera, welcome to the Stinkers club......haha.....stick with it, you will have fun learning, and hopefully, learn to be not so stinky.........:jump: ....I have been doing this for a long time, and now I only stink on rainy days, just like the dog......:jump:

best,

thx! I enjoy reading your posts as well - I'm learning a lot from you guys.

jb

[botster]

4 year record 2005-2008
Trifecta betting

My Best Tracks
Indiana 1 (best)
Hazel Park 5/8
Woodbine 7/8
Rideau-Carleton 5/8
Hoosier 7/8
Chester 5/8
Balmoral 1
Georgia 5/8

My Worst Tracks (all negative ROI's)
Freehold 1/2 (worst)
Fraser 5/8
Dover 5/8
Northlands 5/8
Pompano 5/8
Lebanon 1/2
Batavia 1/2
Saratoga 1/2

but I know if I stop betting the bottom 8 tracks...
then the mother of all signers will hit the next day.:)

Proof is in the ROI, and this is over a 4 year span...Not a surprise to me, not one 1/2 miler on your best list and 4 1/2's on your worst...1/2 milers are deathtraps.

[pandy]

YONKERS is still a good track to bet, keeps the track in good condition, turns are banked and closers can win, longest stretch of any half mile track.

BALMORAL just resurfaced and banked the turns, but the racing quality is down this year.

CHESTER is a nice track, you can close, turns are banked, top quality racing.

HARRINGTON is intensely speed favoring and you can pull your hair out with some of the horrible drives here, worst driving colony in the sport.

DOVER is top quality racing but mainly inside posts, very small pools.

MONTICELLO is a good track, not speed favoring but the quality has slipped from last year.

POCONO is nice, speed favoring but good quality.

THE MEADOWS is honest, horses can close, quality is ok.

NORTHFIELD has really slipped badly the past year, terrible drivers, low purses. The track is well banked, too bad it used to be nice but the purses are just too low.

Basically, with the exception of the Meadowlands, all of the tracks that don't have slots have decreasing quality of racing.

[FlyinLate]

I've only been playing for a couple of years and have learned to stay away from almost all 1/2 mile and 5/8 mile tracks. Too small of prices, too inside/speed favoring, not for me.


1) Balmoral/Hawthorne - Live in Chicago and love them both. Respectable quality racing, descent driving colony, and its local.

2) Meadowlands - Hard to go against this one. Best driving colony, horses, and purses around. The king of harness racing.

4) Indiana/Hoosier - Just started playing these two. Very similar to Balmoral/Hawthorne circuit.

4) Canada Circuit - I've grown quite fond of Mohawk/Woodbine racing. Solid quality racing here.

5) Maywood/Yonkers - Only two half mile tracks that I play. Maywood because its local and I know the drivers/horses/trainers and Yonkers for what I believe is solid 1/2 mile racing.

[botster]

I've only been playing for a couple of years and have learned to stay away from almost all 1/2 mile and 5/8 mile tracks. Too small of prices, too inside/speed favoring, not for me.


1) Balmoral/Hawthorne - Live in Chicago and love them both. Respectable quality racing, descent driving colony, and its local.

2) Meadowlands - Hard to go against this one. Best driving colony, horses, and purses around. The king of harness racing.

4) Indiana/Hoosier - Just started playing these two. Very similar to Balmoral/Hawthorne circuit.

4) Canada Circuit - I've grown quite fond of Mohawk/Woodbine racing. Solid quality racing here.

5) Maywood/Yonkers - Only two half mile tracks that I play. Maywood because its local and I know the drivers/horses/trainers and Yonkers for what I believe is solid 1/2 mile racing.

Smart man flying late, I still don't get the favoritism towards Yonkers from some players, but i guess to each his own.First thing is that run into the first turn is dreadful for anyone outside the four hole.It's too easy for these guys to set up lineups and THEY DO ALL THE TIME.

I never see drivers making three wide sweeps on the last turn... NEVER!, and the closers never seem to get there.Add in the passing lane and it makes it totally unplayable in my sight.

[FlyinLate]

Smart man flying late, I still don't get the favoritism towards Yonkers from some players, but i guess to each his own.First thing is that run into the first turn is dreadful for anyone outside the four hole.It's too easy for these guys to set up lineups and THEY DO ALL THE TIME.

I never see drivers making three wide sweeps on the last turn... NEVER!, and the closers never seem to get there.Add in the passing lane and it makes it totally unplayable in my sight.

Yonkers is my actual last track I will bet. Maybe its that it seems to be the only 1/2 mile track I've turned a profit on more than once, maybe its luck.


95% of my money wagered comes from Balmoral/Hawthorne/Meadowlands. Now that the Big M isn't running I've been using Mohawk and Indiana as replacements. Also play them on Monday when neither Chicago circuit or Meadowlands runs.

[botster]

YONKERS is still a good track to bet, keeps the track in good condition, turns are banked and closers can win, longest stretch of any half mile track.

BALMORAL just resurfaced and banked the turns, but the racing quality is down this year.

CHESTER is a nice track, you can close, turns are banked, top quality racing.

HARRINGTON is intensely speed favoring and you can pull your hair out with some of the horrible drives here, worst driving colony in the sport.

DOVER is top quality racing but mainly inside posts, very small pools.

MONTICELLO is a good track, not speed favoring but the quality has slipped from last year.

POCONO is nice, speed favoring but good quality.

THE MEADOWS is honest, horses can close, quality is ok.

NORTHFIELD has really slipped badly the past year, terrible drivers, low purses. The track is well banked, too bad it used to be nice but the purses are just too low.

Basically, with the exception of the Meadowlands, all of the tracks that don't have slots have decreasing quality of racing.

Bob I know you like to "track shop" when it comes to your picks and for that reason i can understand why you feel the way you do about Yonkers,The Meadows, and Chester, but just on these tracks alone, have you been able to turn a profit in the long haul?

[pandy]

Last year I had a very strong year betting, made money at Chester, Yonkers, Chicago circuit, The Meadows, Monticello, and Northfield. But this year the quality of racing at Northfield, Chicago, and Monticello has dropped and that has made it tougher for me. I usually do better when I bet multiple tracks. But I'm not in the red and there's still 4 months left to hit a few scores.

[botster]

Last year I had a very strong year betting, made money at Chester, Yonkers, Chicago circuit, The Meadows, Monticello, and Northfield. But this year the quality of racing at Northfield, Chicago, and Monticello has dropped and that has made it tougher for me. I usually do better when I bet multiple tracks. But I'm not in the red and there's still 4 months left to hit a few scores.

Thanks for the quick answer Bob... here's to ya:ThmbUp:.

[LottaKash]

Last year I had a very strong year betting, made money at Chester, Yonkers, Chicago circuit, The Meadows, Monticello, and Northfield. But this year the quality of racing at Northfield, Chicago, and Monticello has dropped and that has made it tougher for me. I usually do better when I bet multiple tracks. But I'm not in the red and there's still 4 months left to hit a few scores.

Hey Bob, how's things........

And, All....For those of you who don't know, Bob used to have a tip-sheet, at Yonkers and the old Roosevelt Raceway.......And you would see many, many people walking around and had his sheet, including myself......."Pandy's Picks", bailed me out on more than one occasion, and not all chalk at that.......THX Bob........

best

[FlyinLate]

I'd really love to see a few us on here have some live selections and discussions during a card. Would anyone be interested in maybe one day a week playing a card we all agree on? This would be something good to get going for maybe a Wed. night?

[mrroyboy]

I'm always interested.

[Ray2000]

I asked about the war room a couple of months ago and there was interest but it was never tried.
I think using thread messages runs into posting time 1 minute delays? maybe not

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47503

I'd be interested but not on Wednesday

[LottaKash]

I asked about the war room a couple of months ago and there was interest but it was never tried.
I think using thread messages runs into posting time 1 minute delays? maybe not

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47503

I'd be interested but not on Wednesday


Hey all, wed's would be out for me too..as there aren't any of my kind of tracks running on wed's......

Also, if posting to a thread is the same as submitting a Private Message, then it is 120secs.......

best,

[FlyinLate]

Hey all, wed's would be out for me too..as there aren't any of my kind of tracks running on wed's......

Also, if posting to a thread is the same as submitting a Private Message, then it is 120secs.......

best,

What day would work best for you guys? I'm typically out on Friday and Saturday nights, so if Im even wagering it is live.

Everyone post what days work for them and what tracks they'd be interested in playing? I'd love a Meadowlands thursday but unfortunately it isn't running. I'm open every night except Fri/Sat.

[botster]

Sounds good I would favor Mohawk, but would be open for any track...Thursdays would be good for Mohawk i suppose.

[falconridge]

http://www.northfieldpark.com/images/b1_welcome.jpg
Northfield Park

[FlyinLate]

Sounds good I would favor Mohawk, but would be open for any track...Thursdays would be good for Mohawk i suppose.

Would anyone else be interested in a little Mohawk on Thursdays? Either on the board or in the War Room.

[LottaKash]

Thurs at the MO......for me....ok..........

best,

[mrroyboy]

Ok for me too. What time?