Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Fischer
With races like that, I really hope to find significant info from the will-pays.
I also am looking to the favorites and whether I can make a case for them being vulnerable (something is being over-bet if a 9/1 shot with some things to like is 18-1. The will-pays (if there is some) generally give the best info there.
I probably would have passed and felt it was a bad beat.
I agree on the 2nd paragraph. There are opportunities, but it's very slim pickings. You have to be really sharp and selective to grind out, and you have to do work on the p5s to hit a big one.
If you are a serious player, eventually have to look to move to rebated play yourself
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First let me explain the job of the Stewards isn't to "catch" people.
Think of them as an appellate court or a mediator.
When horsemen have disputes with each other Stewards will call in the parties in the disagreement to see if common ground can be reached.
Next are hearings when a formal complaint is filed. Examples would be a medication overage, animal cruelty charges, financial responsibility et al.
After every race the Steward will call their aid near the winners circle and tell him/her which horse/horses are to be sent for post race testing.
Automatically the winner is sent. Automatically 1-2-3 finishers in a Stakes. During the day the Stewards can send as many as 7 to 12 random testers. I used 3 criteria to chose the "randoms" a favorite who ran surprisingly bad. A big long shot who ran surprisingly well. Or an actual total random where I'd put 8 numbered pieces of paper in a bag and blindly choose one.
As for checking on strange betting patterns. The Stewards can request the tote company for a "history" to see if there were any strange wagers or patterns. I tended to not do that. I would call the investigators and have them request the history.
Even that was close to ex parte communication when it came to hearing.
Hope that helps a bit.
VJS