Betting strategy

two across

I have been logging onto this site (reading more than posting) for more than a year and appreciate all of your insight. I always enjoy the Saratoga meet and this year I need your help. My wife has issued a challenge for Travers day - if I can walk in with $500 and leave with $2500, I will "win" and she will let me buy a share in a horse. That aspect can be a whole other post!

My usual strategy is to make a few small bets (exactas, tri-keys), parlay the winnings with slightly larger bets and leave up or down $100 or so. This won't be successful for this challenge and I could really stand to improve my overall approach.

Without knowing the details of the card, what betting strategy would you use? $100 Win bets? $50 Exacta boxes? Remember, $500 is the bankroll for the day. Once the card is in place I'll be interested in your picks.

Thanks!

topplayer

Pick a 4-1 horse and bet 500 to win.

two across

Haha - I appreciate the simplicity! And who doesn't try that strategy once in a while? Any other ideas?

two across

What do you guys think of betting a trifecta like this:

Horse 1,2 - W
Horse 1,2,3 - P
Horse 1,2,3,4,5 -S $48

vs.

Horse 1,2,3,4 boxed $48

Seems useful if you feel strongly about a couple entries.

Thanks

FlyinLate

Honestly, I wouldn't have a set approach until you have a chance to go over the form.
You may find a few solid singles in a Pick 4 sequence you want to hit, you may find two longshots to bet WP, you may find 2 horses you want to bet to win where you can bet the first then parlay the winnings on the second horse, etc.

two across

Thanks FlyinLate. That is solid advice.

rayphil

I can tell you what I started doing and this may help you...daily doubles pay more then what you think they do..I lay down a 20$ flat double and if you hit one that pays like 50 bucks then that 500 bones..If you do play a pick 4 I try to find atleast 1 single then I can load up in other races..I dont know about the travers either cause your going to have one of baffert horses there with alpha

thebox138

i'd say without knowing the card that your best money making bet would be playing the late pick 4 , ya get a guaranteed 500k going in and maybe even 1mil with the fact its travers day . with a bigger bankroll ya can go deeper in certain legs or all legs . catch one nice longshot in your sequence and you not only will have your 2500 bucks but enough left over to take your wife out to a nice restaurant afterword.

ShowDough

Me I'm a show bettor, try a $200 show bet parlay with three races. It's worked for me often! Good luck.

dirtyshirt

ShowDough wrote: »

Me I'm a show bettor, try a $200 show bet parlay with three races. It's worked for me often! Good luck.

Like that one time... remember....

ShowDough wrote: »

BEST show bet in the history of racing. 2nd Race at the SPA #1 entry. 4 horse entry.
ALL IN!!!

John Greenhaw

I have not kept up with my profit, but I know it is sizeable!

Husker and I have been going to the bank for the past few months on anything Chris Richard saddles. Chris is currently the leading trainer at Prairie Meadows in Iowa and his numbers are cosmic! I started out playing a couple of dollars and am now playing a couple of dimes. His horses don't win all the time, but damned near! When they wind down Prairie Meadows Chris will probably spread out and send many to Remington. BTW, Chris is also the number one trainer for Big Shot owner Maggie Moss. Playing chalk is a no-win angle, but Chris Richard makes it a pretty good play!

ShowDough

Dirtyshirt, it seems like you enjoy taking shots at me. Are you related to Jerry Sandusky?

two across

Thanks thebox138 - I am really good at getting 2 or 3 out of 4 with that approach!:laugh:

two across

Thanks ShowDough - I may catch the wrath of DirtyShirt with that method! Haha.

two across

Thanks John! That's a new name for me.

John Greenhaw

Put Chris Richard in your virtual stable or whatever ADW site you use. Major player across the Mid-West and a hell of a nice guy and even better trainer!!!