Q- Jordon P asked, “do you have any insight on why we are seeing extreme odd changes after the start of the race especially at Mountaineer?”
A – Wow, Jordon this is a tough one. As you may know, it’s the last-minute computer changes on bets. There have been some huge changes like going from 5/2 to as low as 7/5, which is going from a $7 winner to a $4.80 winner.
They say it’s all about computer algorithms. I personally doubt that. Back in the day, and most likely still happening, big gamblers would have 5, 10 or even more people wait to the last minute to lay down huge bets, so the public won’t have time to react to it.
Most of the time you might see it drop one or at most two notches, like 5/2 to 2-1, which is going from $7 to $6. The bottom line is that they need to be more transparent on this.
Q- Kathy B asked, “which track is the easiest to handicap?”
A – Kathy it’s the track that your handicapping skills do the best at. There are tracks that are known for being fast and some tracks are a little deeper. With that being said, I handicap the races with lone speed horses as they are hard to beat most of the time. However, you still need to keep in mind the track’s bias one way or the other and handicap according to the bias. Plus, some tracks have a post bias …so keep an eye on it at all times .
Q- Robert N asked, “last week you said the win bet is one of your favorites to play. At what odds do bet or not bet?”
A – You’re right Robert. I will bet a horse to win if they’re at 3/5 or higher up to 8-1. I’ll bet them win and place if they are 9-1 to 20-1, anything higher it will be across the board.
Why 3/5? Where else can you invest in something for 2 minutes or less and receive $0.60 cents on the dollar in profit. That’s right $60 profit for every $100 bet.
If the odds are 9-1, I bet it win and place $20 for every $2 for the win and about $10 for every $2 for the place. If you bet only your three to four top choices per day, which is about my average, it’s just three to four races per card. Of course, sometimes you might like more or none; just be disciplined.
About Charles Trent
Charles Trent started going to the races when he was 10 years old and bought his first racehorse when he was 18 years old. He’s been involved in the sport of Kings since. Charles understands both the gambling and training part of the sport.
He has owned horses on and off since 1985, trained horses from 1999 to 2008 and every horse that he purchased as a trainer got to the winner circle. Charles worked with top trainers and jockeys as an owner along with many great grooms, jockeys, jockey agents and even racing office personal as a trainer. Now, Charles is a Bloodstock Agent helping people start their journey in this Great Sport.
Charles will take your questions taking questions about horseracing from buying horses for racing to pinhooking, breeding, the ins and outs of the backside from a trainer’s point of view and even about gambling.
Send Charles Trent, Bloodstock Agent and Racing Manager of Big Casino Racing, your questions to Bigcasinoracing@gmail.com