Why people bet on the ponies
The second race at Churchill Downs today was as standard and unexciting as a race can be – a $7,500 Claiming race at six furlongs with a dozen horses. Every so often, though, a forgettable race can turn into something that can seduce the imagination of horseplayers forever.
The favorite, Wrzeszcz (easily the hardest to pronounce name in the country), was never a factor. Neither were the second or third choice. A 40-1 shot somehow found the lead at the start and never gave it up. A 45-1 horse made a ridiculous move all the way from last to second at the wire. The 7-1 fourth choice was third, and a 16-1 horse finished the superfecta.
What did that all mean? Ridiculously huge payouts. And I do mean ridiculously huge. The exacta paid $2,103.60 on a $2 bet. The trifecta was a stunning $17,270.60 for a $2 investment, and the super was $57,620 from $1. Needless to say, this will lead to gigantic pick three and pick four tickets, too.
There is very likely no sound handicapping system that would have led you to nailing this result. Mine sure didn’t. Nonetheless, it’s always fun to dream, and a win like this is certainly something to dream about.
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