HarnessRacing Vs Throughbreds

[ferrarif-1fan]

I like Harness racing better. Same distance (1 mile) same surface No Turf or regular track, fewer variables. Easier to Handicap especilally big tracks like Meadowland. Why do the majority of you like the Throughbreds better?

 

[UWinSports]

Too much chalk in harness racing. Very easy to fix races also.

 

[smooth53_98]

I find it easier to follow form cycles in harness, but have trouble spotting the unexpected results (that $48 winner that sneaks in to mess up your Pick 4). I am more familiar with t-breds and have a much better feel for trainer intent and angles.... plus t-breds can't go off stride when they are 10 lengths clear of a field and be dq'd out of the money. I play both, but play much lighter on harness.

-smooth

 

[ferrarif-1fan]

To my eye,I have seen wierder things happen at Throughbred tracks. That is the reason I like to play the MAJOR Harness racing tracks (Meadowlands, Woodbine, Balmoral) Larger purses keeps them honest (Somewhat)

 

[ferrarif-1fan]

Smooth, Not unlike the $155.00 horse that I had second last week in the second race @ Meadowlands that beat my top horse.

 

[G.MONEY]

Have Been Betting Horses For Over 30 Years And Just Could Not Get Into Harness Racing. It Is Just Not As Exciting To Me. I Did Grow Up At Arlington Park, As My Father Had A Small Stable Which He Owned, So That Maybe Why My Lean Is Towards Throughbreads...g.

 

[smooth53_98]

To my eye,I have seen wierder things happen at Throughbred tracks. That is the reason I like to play the MAJOR Harness racing tracks (Meadowlands, Woodbine, Balmoral) Larger purses keeps them honest (Somewhat)

That is the truth... I used to hit the track after work and found myself playing tracks like Mountaineer, Penn, and Charlestown... I saw some real wacky things go on at Penn... now I stick primarly to daytime tracks (NJ, NY, Philly, Maryland). For me, I'll stick with Meadowlands most fo the time since the half mile ovals really do throw me for a loop at times (although I do like heading down to Freehold every once in a while for some live racing... where else can you get a potato knish at a concession stand). I find Freehold to be chalky, while there is some value to the Meadowlands. The favorites don't seem to win at a higher percentage, just seem to be more in the 4.00 to 6.00 range at Meadowlands while Freehold has a fair share of 2.60 to 3.80 favorites. One thing I have noticed lately at Freehold is horses shipping in from the Meadowlands winning in their second of third start over the Freehold course. I'll have to keep an eye on this over the next couple of weeks and see if there is anything to it.

-smooth

 

[smooth53_98]

Have Been Betting Horses For Over 30 Years And Just Could Not Get Into Harness Racing. It Is Just Not As Exciting To Me. I Did Grow Up At Arlington Park, As My Father Had A Small Stable Which He Owned, So That Maybe Why My Lean Is Towards Throughbreads...g.

Likewise, my uncle got me into betting on the races and we would spend most of my summers growing up at Monmouth Park. Harness was more of an afterthought for me since I was heading up to the Meadowlands after work to simulcast, and since they had the harness meet running, I felt obligated to at least look at the program for it.

-smooth

 

[sds]

A better question is "why do guys refuse to play chalk" ? I will gladly lay down $200 to win on a horse that goes out & wins and delivers $ 3.00.

The same guy that refuses this bet will do a freaking happy dance if he earns 10% on his investments in a year :monsters-


It's all math and if you are only swinging for the fence ,you are going to miss the opportunity to make EZ money.


Woodbine/Mohawk is where I do my studying and hopefully can nail some winners for you this week.

sds

 

[smooth53_98]

A better question is "why do guys refuse to play chalk" ? I will gladly lay down $200 to win on a horse that goes out & wins and delivers $ 3.00.

The same guy that refuses this bet will do a freaking happy dance if he earns 10% on his investments in a year :monsters-


It's all math and if you are only swinging for the fence ,you are going to miss the opportunity to make EZ money.


Woodbine/Mohawk is where I do my studying and hopefully can nail some winners for you this week.

sds

I couldn't agree more. 10% is better than you will do with your money sitting in the bank, yet a consisent score on winners that pay 3.00 or so will draw criticism from many people, when they are counting on one big score.

I'm with you sds... hey, if the chalk is going to win 33% or the time (+/- depending on circuit), might as well take advantage of strong favorites and pound away on beating weak favorites.

-smooth

 

[jamesbong]

I could never understand the popular disdain for chalk either. It really is all in numbers as someone mentioned.

Hitting a 21-1 shot 5% of the time will yield the same 10% profit margin as hitting a 6/5 shot 50% of the time. I am baffled when people assert that you can't win playing chalk. There really is no logical reason that overlays shouldn't exist across the entire spectrum of odds. And the biggest problem with betting high priced horses is that the lower hit% causes huge bankroll swings. And large bankroll swings will not only necessitate a smaller proportional unit risked on each race but can also lead to devastating emotional consequences and cloud one's handicapping judgement.

But I am not complaining. There wouldn't be value out there if longshot players didn't exist and vice versa. Together with the chalk players and mid-range bettors, we are all part of the intricate web that makes the pari-mutuel market very efficient.